Serviceberry, Shadbush, Juneberry, Saskatoon: native early bloomer with names steeped in history!

Serviceberry, Shadbush, Juneberry, Shadblow, Sugar Plum and Saskaton has many regional names. With a number of species in the Amelanchier genus, this tree is found across the northeast US and beyond. It is the first tree to flower in the spring. This video describes the tree from my perspective on the Appalachian trail. The tree was seen flowering in seemingly winter landscapes without a touch of green. It is a native tree that is host to many moths and butterflies as well as providing food for wildlife. How it gets its different common names is described in this video. The berrry-like fruit that ripen in June are edible and actually in the biological fruit category known as pomes. The Appalachian trail is introduced along with the affects of north and south slope exposure and elevation. Various spring wildflowers are illustrated in photos.