174 



SHAD BUSH. 



Amelanchier canadensis, (Linnaeus) Mendicus. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION The genus Amelanchier comprises about 30 species of small trees 

 and shrubs found mainly in the temperate portion of the northern hemisphere. About 23 species 

 are found in North America, 6 of which attain tree-size. Four species are native to Pennsylvania, 

 only 1 of which attains tree-size. 



FORM A small tree usually 10-25 ft. in height with a diameter of 6-12 inches but may reach 

 a height of 40 ft. with a diameter of 20 inches. Trunk usually straight, slender, with little 

 taper, bearing a shallow, and narrow crown appearing very dense on account of abundant fine 

 sprays of branchlets. 



BARK Rather smooth on young and old specimens. On older specimens there is a tendency 

 to roughen through shalJow, longitudinal, sometimes diagonal fissures which are rather dark 

 and separate broad, lighter, and smooth ridges becoming scaly near the base. 



TWIGS Slender, somewhat zigzag, bright green to purplish-brown, smooth or often overlaid 

 with a grajish film-like coating which peels off; covered with a few, pale, scattered lenticels; 

 pith small, greenish, angular. 



BUDS Alternate, usually 2-ranked, slender, conical, 1-1 of an inch long, 3-4 times as long 

 as broad, sharp-pointed, greenish-brown often tinged with purple, sometimes smooth often 

 hairy towards apex and along bud-scales. Terminal buds longer than lateral which are 

 usually appiessed close to twig, sometimes remaining very small. Bud-scales largest near 

 base, often 3-nerved, darker and finely hairy along margin. 



LEAVES Alternate, simple, ovate to ovate-oblong, 3-4 inches long, sharp-pointed at apex, 

 round or heart-shaped at base, finely and sharply serrate on margin, at first finely hairy, 

 later smooth, dark green above, paler below. 



LEAF-SCARS Alternate, usually 2-ranked, small, inconspicuous, rather linear with projection 

 at bundle-scars which an> large and 3 in number. 



FLOWERS Appear about April when leaves are just starting to develop; large, white, per- 

 fect, stalked, arranged in drooping racemes 3-5 inches long. 



FRUIT Matures in June or July. Berry-like in racemes, reddish-purple, with a bloom when 

 fully ripe, about i of an inch in diameter, sweet, and containing small seeds. 



WOOD Dilf use-porous; rays numerous, indistinct, dark brown often touched with red; heavy, 

 hard, strong, checks uud warps easily, very susceptible to high polish. Weighs 48.85 Ibs. per 

 cubic foot. Used to a limited extent, mainly in turnery. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Shad Bush, also known as Service Berry, June 

 Berry, and Sarvice, can readily be distinguished in winter by its smooth grayish often black- 

 streaked bark and its long, slender, conical, sharp-pointed, greenish-brown to purplish buds which 

 are often finely hairy towards the apex and along the margin of the scales. The buds, in form and 

 to some extent in size, resemble the Beech but the buds of the Beech are usually larger, clear 

 reddish-brown in color and have from 10-20 scales arranged in 4 rows. The twigs of the Beech 

 are shining reddish-brown while those of the Shad Bush are usually bright green to grayish 

 or purplish-brown. The stipule scars are absent on the Shad Bush while they nearly encircle 

 the twig of the Beech. The large white flowers arranged in drooping racemes 3-5 inches long 

 are alno characteristic. The leaves and the fruit will aid in distinguishing it in summer. 



RANGE Newfoundland and Ontario, southward to Florida, westward to Kansas and Louisiana. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Found in every portion of the State. Most abundant 

 among the mountain ranges. 



HABITAT Occurs solitary or occasionally In clumps. Prefers open situations and moist 

 soil, but also grows on sandy rather sterile soil. Common along the border of forests, banks of 

 streams, forest roads, and cliffs. Small specimens common in tbe understory of our hardwood 

 forests. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES This species is of little commercial Importance because 

 its wood is rarely used. It will always be a minor species not on account of the inferiority of 

 its wood but on account of its small size and limited and scattered distribution. The wood 

 is actually stronger end stiffer than White Oak. Its conspicuous white flowers in early spring 

 before the leaves are out justify its retention in the forest, especially where it does not inter- 

 fere with the growth of other more valuable trees. The berries are excellent food for birds, 

 beasts, and man. 



