Service berry, Saskatoon Berry, is a widespread shrub to small tree in the northwest. In western Oregon it occupies every biome from the high Cascades to coastal bluffs. Deciduous to 15′ tall most often with multiple trunks. Trees in poor soil with less water can grow as very low shrubs , in rich soil,in the Willamette and Umpqua Valley’s it achieves small tree status. Long lived with round small leaves with fine serrations on the edges. They emerge after bloom with a downy pubescence and fresh green. The leaves toughen up and turn blue green by summer. Always in April the limbs become flocked in clusters of pure white wispy petals-after several weeks they become small drupes that mature to dark purple by mid summer. They look and taste like very miniature plums when ripe. They are seldom larger than a caper. These are heavily coveted by wild life and that is part of its strategy of distribution. In the Willamette Valley it is primarily an understory or margin of the forest tree. Its a favorite of old mans beard moss (Usnea) and its common understory companions are Oso berry (Oemleria) Ocean Spray (Holodiscus) and Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus). and Oregon Viburnum ( Viburnum ellipticum) Water once a week for the first summer, let the soil dry between irrigation . Give the plant good air circulation and it will produce clear yellow foliage for an extended time in October/November. Adaptable to any soil, including drought tolerant in heavy clay and will only grow slower and stay smaller in poor conditions but not die. Deep rich, clay soil is its preferred habitat. Rose family protect from Rabbits and deer when small. Seed raised only. Slow growing. Best planted when small. Oregon native plant.
