Knowledgebase

Serviceberry or something else? #863041

Asked April 01, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT

Several years ago I bought what was supposed to be an Amelanchier canadensis sapling. It took a while to flower, but it finally has, and it seemed to me the flowers don’t look quite as expected; the petals seem rounder. Various apps ID it as some kind of cherry, apple, or even—eek—Bradford pear. I’m hoping the HGIC can help. Photos of a flower, buds and branches are attached.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

While a concrete identification is challenging from the photos, this does not appear to be a Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis). It does have traits consistent with Callery Pear, (Pyrus calleryana). If you would like a follow-up to help confirm our ID, you can send us photos of the foliage once it leafs completely out.

Marie 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 02, 2024, 4:02 PM EDT
Hello,

I’ve attached photos of the leaves, as recommended in your reply below. In case it matters, the flowers appeared at least two weeks later than those of known local Bradford Pears, and they had a lightly sweet fragrance, not the old fish smell I associate with Callery pears. The bark is almost glossy, But those thorny projections do have me wondering. 

I don’t see any sign of fruit yet. 

Best regards,
Beth 

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Sent from my iPad
On Apr 2, 2024, at 4:02 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 02, 2024, 8:48 PM EDT
Thank you for the additional photos. Based on the foliage, we agree this is not a Callery Pear, nor is it a Serviceberry. It could be a type of Plum (there are a few native species as well as the non-native edible types), or perhaps Crabapple (genus Malus), though the branching and thorn-like spurs suggest Plum (genus Prunus, which also includes cherries and kin). If you purchased the plant from a native plant nursery, perhaps this is one of our native Plums, though we won't be able to concretely say which one at this point. You can browse the Prunus list (it includes non-natives that also grow wild in MD) in the Maryland Biodiversity Project database to see if one looks like a match, especially if the tree later produces small fruits.

Miri
Hello Miri,

I just wanted to provide a little follow-up on the mystery of the serviceberryhat wasn’t.. The tree did eventually produce all of three oval fruits. I tried to protect them, but something ate them before they ripened. I’m guessing by the shape of the green fruits that they were some kind of plum, and based on the small number, a type that needs a co-pollinator nearby. Maybe I’ll plant another and see what happens. I’m also guessing it’s an American wild plum that was mislabeled as a serviceberry, since I bought it from a native plant supplier. And I’m relieved it’s not a callery pear.

I did plant a serviceberry that seems truly to be a serviceberry and which hasn’t given in to cedar-apple rust yet. 

Best regards,
Beth

Sent from my iPad

On May 3, 2024, at 6:32 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT
Sounds good! There are a few native plum relatives in Maryland, though not generally common in wild spaces, so it might be hard to tell exactly which species it is (as the pollinator partner may need to be the same species). Good luck!

Miri

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