Knowledgebase

What tree type and is it healthy #946840

Asked October 09, 2026, 4:57 PM EDT

I have a tree in the backyard that has been there for around 5 years. I am wondering 1) If someone can tell me what kind of tree this is (I lost the paperwork from the company I bought it from). 2) Is this tree healthy? It has looked like this for several years, not getting any bigger and producing no berries this year (it has produced small berries for several of the past few years). 3) What kind of tree do you recommend that produces fruit that attracts birds but does not create a big mess in the yard? 4) What kind of tree do you recommend that has a distinctive and attractive look and/or smell?

Scott County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning, 

Thanks for your question. I believe your plant might be a serviceberry. Here is a link about Canadian serviceberry: https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286376&isprofile=1&adv=amelanchier%20canadensis

Here is another link: https://trees.umn.edu/serviceberry-amelanchier-spp

From viewing your photos, I can see you have a garden hose by the tree. It would be good to water your trees going into fall/winter, prior to freeze up. 

It appears you have rocks around the tree and up to the trunk. You probably also have landscape fabric under the rocks to discourage the weeds. 

Your tree would thrive, or do better with wood chip mulch around the base, a few inches away from the trunks, and spanning out to the area of the drip line. This is where the rain falls off the farthest branches. The rocks heat up in the summer sun, which also heats up the soil and the roots. Wood chip mulch would protect the roots, keep the soil moist and cool. 

Here is a link about planting trees and shrubs: https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs  If you scroll towards the bottom, there is an entire section about after planting care. These methods will help any tree or shrub thrive. 50% of the roots are within 1 foot of the top of the soil. '

Here is a link about trees and shrubs for pollinators (and birds): https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/trees-and-shrubs-for-pollinators

Here is another link for native tree recommendations: https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources/forestry-and-wildlife/forestry/creating-climate-ready-woodlands/recommended-trees

Many residents are moving towards a yard that supports pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/support-pollinators

The chemical you apply to a turf grass lawn can have a effect on your trees and shrubs. 94% of our birds forage in the leaf litter left on the ground under trees. If you have a perfect turfgrass lawn on which lawn chemicals have been applied, there are no invertibrates there for the birds to forage for. 

Please also consider this link about soft landings under tree: https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/softlandings.html

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied October 10, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT

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