78 



Common Trees 



SHAD BUSH 



Amelanchier canadensis (Linnaeus) Medicus 



THE Shad Bush, also called Service Berry. June Berry 

 and Sarvice, is one of the most conspicuous small trees 

 when m full bloom early in spring. The early settlers ob- 

 served that It was in full bloom when the shad ascended the 

 fivers to spawn. 



The leaves arc sim- 

 ple, alternate, egg- 

 shaped, 3 to 4 inches 

 long, sharp-pointed, 

 finely toothed along 

 margin, when young 

 finely hairy, later 

 smooth. 



The flowers appear '*'; 

 just when the leaves 

 start to come out. They 

 are white, slender- 

 stalked, arranged in 

 drooping clusters 3 to 5 

 inches long. 



The fruit is a red- 

 d i s h-p u r p I e, sweet | 

 berry, about one-third 

 of an inch in diameter, < 

 coated with whitish 

 bloom when fully ripe. 

 It matures in June or 

 July. 



The bark is usually smooth, grayish, often marked with 

 black streaks. The twigs are slender, bright green to pur- 

 plish-brown, smooth. The buds are slender, conical, ^ of 

 an inch long, 3 to 4 times as long as wide, sharp-pointed, 

 greenish-brown. 



The wood is heavy, hard, light to dark brown, checks 

 and warps easily. 



The Shad Bush is found from Newfoundland west to 

 Kansas and south to Florida and Louisiana. It occurs locally 

 throughout Ohio. It is usually found solitary or in small 

 clumps. Along the border of forests, along fences, roads 

 and water courses one usually finds this small tree that rarely 

 exceeds 25 feet in height and 12 inches in diameter. Its fine 

 floral beauty recommends the protection of this beautiful 

 tree which also yields delicious berries for man. birds and 

 other animals. 



SHAD BUSH 

 One-fourth natural size. 

 Flower, fruit and twig section, enlarsred. 



