Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

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Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Allegheny Serviceberry, also known as Smooth Serviceberry, is a small tree found in upland woods in the mountains of North Carolina. It is separated from its nearly identical sibling Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) by its smooth leaves; those of Downy Serviceberry are densely pubescent.

Carroll Co., VA 5/16/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Emerging leaves may have a few stray hairs, but the leaf blades are hairless.

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) flowers

The flowers are quite showy when they bloom in early spring, before the leaves come out.

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) flowers

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Wilkes Co., NC 4/16/05.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

The leaves are usually reddish when they first emerge.

Wilkes Co., NC 4/16/05.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Alleghany Co., NC 4/14/06.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

The tasty pomes turn from red to dark purplish as they ripen.

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

The leaves are pale green and hairless beneath.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Bark of a small stem.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

The smooth bark is usually twisted.

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

The bark is shallowly furrowed with a distinctive twisted pattern.

Wilkes Co., NC 4/16/05.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) bark

Carroll Co., VA 4/25/08.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Showing the typical zig-zag trunk form.

Carroll Co., VA 4/25/08.

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) tree

In the mountains, serviceberries get to be fairly large trees and may be quite common.

Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.

More information:
NC State
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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