Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15 to 25 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Available in tree or shrub form.
medium water15 to 25 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: "File:A21-1-Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry).JPG" by Sherief Saleh is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "File:A21-2-Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry).JPG" by Sherief Saleh is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: "Amelanchier laevis 5472367" by Rob Routledge, Sault College is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 5: "File:Alleghany Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) - Guelph, Ontario 02.jpg" by Ryan Hodnett is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
- Photo 6: "Amelanchier laevis 5393665" by Vanessa Richins, About.com, Bugwood.org is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 15 to 25 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Bloom color
- white
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Deer often browse this
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Allegheny Serviceberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Allegheny Serviceberry is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Allegheny Serviceberry get?
- It matures to about 15 to 25 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide.
- How much room does Allegheny Serviceberry need?
- Give Allegheny Serviceberry about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Allegheny Serviceberry grow into?
- Allegheny Serviceberry typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Allegheny Serviceberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Allegheny Serviceberry is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Allegheny Serviceberry need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Allegheny Serviceberry grow?
- Allegheny Serviceberry is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Allegheny Serviceberry live?
- Allegheny Serviceberry is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Allegheny Serviceberry turn in fall?
- Allegheny Serviceberry turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Allegheny Serviceberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Allegheny Serviceberry deer-resistant?
- No. Deer often browse Allegheny Serviceberry, so plan on protecting it where deer roam.
