I got home from work, and my husband had foraged my favorite native tree fruit in June. Also known as the shadbush, shadwood or shadblow, serviceberry or sarvisberry (or just sarvis), juneberry, saskatoon, sugarplum, wild-plum or chuckley pear, the genus of Amelanchier (/æməˈlænʃɪər/ am-ə-LAN-sheer) consists of about 20 species of deciduous-leaved shrubs and small trees in the rose family (Rosaceae). It’s an all season beauty with its cute oval leaves and multi-stem structure. I do ask of anyone who does pick these delightful gifts, to leave some for our pollinators and for our elder community.

Juneberries are high in anti-oxidants and feel more superior to the blueberry. The berries also normally fruit in June, and delicate white flowers bloom in April or May, but did start much earlier this year in Chicago. I can only presume that this is due to changes in our climate. Its fall color is also vibrant and memorable to me. It prepares me for winter in the most loving way.

Being an Openlands TreeKeeper® has expanded my community, hope for tree advocacy, and support system. My friend Wendy shared with me a free tree giveaway Arbor Day Foundation program for homeowners. If you rent, you will likely need to ask permission to request and plant a tree. I was so thrilled that this program existed as I am still trying to improve the tree canopy in my unshaded front yard. A couple years ago, an estimated 78 year old tree had fallen due to an unknown disease. It had provided shade for us and had left an empty space in our energy depleting sod landscape. We’ve slowly introduced several native plants, shrubs, and saplings. Many birds, butterflies, bees, and bugs visit us. I was so excited that I could order a gallon Amelanchier canadensis sapling for free. I requested my tree thinking this surely would not arrive this year, but I received it a couple weeks after and it is much taller and healthier than I thought it would be!

While I don’t have another tree to optimize the chances for my tree to bear fruit, I do know there are several fruiting serviceberry trees within 20 ft of where I planted my new sapling. I’ve mulched and watered my new tree and am so excited to witness it grow.

You’re probably wondering what my favorite way to consume these super berries is and it’s in a smoothie. I usually wash, remove any stems, and freeze the berries for those hot days in the city where I am reminded that planting trees also helps keep us cool.