Currently unavailable Fresh Eating- Large Dark Blue Fruit - Abundant Fruiting
This is the best quality fruiting tree serviceberry that I found which consistently produces clean fruit with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Large half inch fruit are produced in dense clusters throughout the tree. Trees begin to bear in 4-8 years from seedling. Can be grown from seed as it produces true to seed. The heavy yields and delicious taste make it ideal for a new fruit selection. I enclose scionwood of "Pancake Bay" of the most productive individual that is in the planting although only slight variations are found within this seed strain.
Pancake Bay is a vigorous selection that has large clean foliage throughout the summer. It was found as a seedling tree along the southern shores of Lake Superior in Canada where the fruit had created a large area of blue stained rocks. Along with some very nice bear tracks I spent just enough time to collect fruit to eat and saved a few seeds in the process. In my opinion this fruit is the best flavored of all the Amelanchier I have at my farm. Under cultivation, it best to plant in full sun for best quality fruits. Let this selection grow as a single trunk t‘ 'Why-the-rocks-are-blue’ should be its second name.
Pancake Bay is self fertile and is only impaired by hot weather which can drop the fruit prematurely or cause it to develop a type of black spot. Frost appears to have no influence in setting fruit. Birds are highly attracted to the fruit and can sometimes lower the crop depending on the mulberry crop in the area. Picking the fruit takes ladders which is slow. The fruit has to be picked in stages usually as it does not always ripen all at once. Serviceberry foliage is attractive to deer so keep in mind protecting the plants when young. Trees prefer a open windswept area but can fruit in light shade.
Plant Specs |
Genus & Species |
Amelanchier laevis |
Seed Source |
Michigan |
Hardiness |
minus 30F or more |
Height (ft) |
30 |
Width (ft) |
30 |
Pollination Requirements |
Self fertile |
Soil |
Dry sandy and rocky soil is ideal but adaptable to sandy loams and loam soils as long as not too alkaline. ph 6.5 tops. |
Climate |
Zone 3-6 Does better in cooler climates-low air humidity. Regular spring and early summer rains without heat waves is ideal. |
Ease of Cultivation |
Very easy to grow and incredibly productive within the confines of the right climate. Fruits quickly from seed and is one of the strongest tree type Amelanchiers I have ever seen. |