Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Large shrub; best used as multi-stem.
low to medium water10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wideXeric / water-wise
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Amelanchier alnifolia
- Variety / cultivar
- Saskatoon
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~15 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Pollinator value
- high
- Tolerates
- Dry shade under conifers
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.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Saskatoon Serviceberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Saskatoon Serviceberry is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Saskatoon Serviceberry get?
- It matures to about 10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide.
- How much room does Saskatoon Serviceberry need?
- Give Saskatoon Serviceberry about 15 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Saskatoon Serviceberry grow into?
- Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon Serviceberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Saskatoon Serviceberry is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Saskatoon Serviceberry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Saskatoon Serviceberry grow?
- Saskatoon Serviceberry is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Saskatoon Serviceberry live?
- Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon Serviceberry turn in fall?
- Saskatoon Serviceberry turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Saskatoon Serviceberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Saskatoon Serviceberry deer-resistant?
- No. Saskatoon Serviceberry is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Saskatoon Serviceberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Saskatoon Serviceberry is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
