THE CANADA JUNEBERRY OR SHADBUSH 



THE observer who should follow the trees through the year, to note the distinctive 

 effect which each kind gives to the landscape, would find that many of them 

 occupy the most conspicuous position during some brief period. This may be 

 due to a variety of causes : in the lengthening catkins of the Alder it is as the first token 

 of yielding winter that the species stands apart from all others ; in the beautiful branches 

 of the Pussy Willow it is the display of brilliant blossoms upon a sombie background; 

 in the flowers and fruits of the Red Maple it is the lighting up of the landscape by 

 glorious hues of red ; in the case of the Juneberry or Shadbush the effect is due to the 

 brilliant white petals held in clustered masses in the foreground against a changing 

 background of the grays and greens of the developing foliage. These flowers are borne 

 in racemes, there being generally five or more in a cluster and each flower having its 

 parts arranged in groups of five. The blossoms have a sweetish odor which,- together 

 with the nectar that they secrete, attracts great numbers of bees and other insects to 

 carry the pollen from tree to tree. The young leaves have their upper surfaces folded 

 together, and are sparsely covered with whitish hairs which drop off as the leaf reaches 

 maturity. The fruit matures a few weeks after the petals have fallen, its general 

 characters being well sh^wn in the accompanying plate. When ripe it is generally red- 

 dish or reddish purple and the meagre pulp has a slightly sweetish taste. 



The Canada Juneberry is often called the Shadbush, although there are also other 

 species, which are not so likely to assume the tree form, to which this name is given. It 

 grows commonly as a shrub or small tree over a great range, extending from Newfoundland 

 to Lake Superior on the north, to Minnesota and Kansas on the west, and to Louisiana 

 and Florida on the south. It is especially likely to be found in sparse woods and along the 

 margins of streams flowing down hillsides, although is not usually found in very wet situa- 

 tions. The bark of the trunk is of a characteristic greenish-gray color and generally is 

 quite smooth. The buds are small and pointed and the bark of the youngest branches is 

 of a brownish or purplish-red color. 



The Juneberry is of special value for ornamental planting on account of the beauty 

 of its blossoms in early spring. It is hardy and will thrive in partial shade, so that it may 

 be planted to advantage along the borders of small groves of other trees. 



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