{"product_id":"utah-serviceberry-amelanchier-utahensis-organic-fruiting-shrub-white-blooms-high-yield-520-prestratified-seeds-free-shipping","title":"Utah Serviceberry {Amelanchier utahensis} Organic Fruiting Shrub | White Blooms | High Yield | 5\/20 Pre-Stratified Seeds Free Shipping!","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"content-toggle-product-details-read-more\" class=\"wt-content-toggle__body wt-content-toggle__body--truncated wt-content-toggle__body--truncated-02\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n        \u003cp data-product-details-description-text-content=\"\" class=\"wt-text-body-01 wt-break-word\"\u003e\n            UTAH SERVICEBERRY\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUtah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) is a small tree or large shrub \u003cbr\u003ethat is highly branched or grows in clumps. Its average height at maturity \u003cbr\u003eis about 15 feet. The flowers of Utah serviceberry have white petals and \u003cbr\u003egrow in small clusters. While in bloom in early spring, the entire plant \u003cbr\u003eis snowy white. Flowers April through June.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is common in the more arid areas in canyons, rocky areas, and foothills, \u003cbr\u003eusually between 3,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. Once it is established, \u003cbr\u003eit tolerates drought well. It grows best on coarse to medium well-drained \u003cbr\u003esoils. It requires excellent drainage and is not salt tolerant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fruit of Utah serviceberry is an excellent source of bird food while \u003cbr\u003ethe foliage is good browse for both wildlife and domestic livestock. It \u003cbr\u003eis a very important species for mule deer in the Great Basin. It provides \u003cbr\u003egood forage in late winter and early spring because it leafs out and blooms \u003cbr\u003eearlier than associated species (spring\/summer). Utah serviceberry also \u003cbr\u003eprovides good ground cover for watershed protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeneral: Considerable variation occurs in the native shrubs or small trees \u003cbr\u003ethat are generally 2 to 4 meters tall. Deciduous leaves are simple, alternate \u003cbr\u003egenerally serrate-dentate from the middle to the tip. Flowers form clusters \u003cbr\u003ein early May with five showy white petals and the ovary is 2 to 5 celled. \u003cbr\u003eThe persistent purplish – black pome can remain dry and pulpy. Considerable \u003cbr\u003evariation occurs when it is found on sites with Saskatoon serviceberry where \u003cbr\u003enatural hybrids are sometimes found. It generally occupies drier sites than \u003cbr\u003eSaskatoon serviceberry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdaptation\u003cbr\u003eThe plant is found on rocky slopes, canyons and stream banks with 12 to 20 \u003cbr\u003einches of annual precipitation. It has a deep spreading root system and \u003cbr\u003eoccupies soils that are coarse to medium textured and well drained. It is not \u003cbr\u003etolerant of high water tables or saline soils. It is adapted to drier sites than \u003cbr\u003eSaskatoon serviceberry. Utah serviceberry grows with a variety of other plants \u003cbr\u003ebut grows slowly and seedlings can be suppressed by dense stands of grasses \u003cbr\u003eand forbs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEstablishment\u003cbr\u003eUtah serviceberry can be established with seed planted about 1⁄4 of an inch deep in fall months or container grown plants set in the ground in early spring when soil moisture is present. Sprouting does occur but is not as common as the occurrence in the more northern ecotypes of Saskatoon serviceberry. \u003cbr\u003eEstablishment \u003cbr\u003ecan be slow, especially if soil moisture is low, but the plant can survive on \u003cbr\u003edrier sites than Saskatoon serviceberry. New plantings can require several years (8 to 10) for flowering and seed production. Protection from browsing and plant competition along with the use of mulch will reduce the time required for establishment. Shade also will be beneficial for establishing live plants.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUses\u003cbr\u003eUtah serviceberry can be used for food and cover to improve wildlife habitat. \u003cbr\u003eLeaves and small branches are used by big game and livestock and berries are \u003cbr\u003econsumed by birds and small animals. It also provides nesting and cover for \u003cbr\u003ebirds. Utah serviceberry can be used for reseeding big sagebrush and pinyon-juniper sites and is also beneficial for conservation plantings on rangelands and mined land. \u003cbr\u003eThe plant can be used for landscaping and as a component of windbreaks and \u003cbr\u003eshelterbelts. It also can be used for roadside beautification. Native Americans used the berries as a source of food that was prepared in several ways. Berries persist longer on the bush than on Saskatoon serviceberry and provide a food source over a longer period of time, especially when the ground may be covered with snow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter seeding or planting live plants, controlled browsing will be important for \u003cbr\u003emaintaining vigorous growth. Reducing plant competition is also necessary for rapid plant growth. Controlled browsing will be important for berry production. After the plant is established, it can withstand moderate to heavy browsing in years with average to above average precipitation. Browsing should not exceed more than 50 percent of the current season’s growth to maintain good plant vigor and growth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePests and Potential Problems\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plant is host of Apple-cedar rust when growing in close proximity to Junipers. The rust affects leaves and berries. No other serious diseases or pests are known.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnvironmental Concerns\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plant is not known to be aggressive, invasive, or difficult to control when used in areas where adapted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeds and Plant Production\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In years with good moisture, large \u003cbr\u003equantities of berries are produced and can be hand harvested. Controlled browsing is also important for berry production. Seedlings can exhibit good vigor but slow growth. Fresh seed may require cold stratification.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \n    \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Fostradellc","offers":[{"title":"5 ct","offer_id":45299796672647,"sku":"5ODI04T","price":1.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0732\/3936\/3719\/files\/Output_405.jpg?v=1784708507","url":"https:\/\/fostradellc.com\/products\/utah-serviceberry-amelanchier-utahensis-organic-fruiting-shrub-white-blooms-high-yield-520-prestratified-seeds-free-shipping","provider":"Fostradellc","version":"1.0","type":"link"}