• GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
• RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM
• REGENERATION PROCESSES
• SITE CHARACTERISTICS
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS
• SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT

GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Utah serviceberry is a many-branched, deciduous native shrub that grows from 2 to 15 feet (1-4 m) tall [20,21,30,33,41]. The plant can spread up to 15 feet (4.5 m) across [20].

The roots of Utah serviceberry are deep and spreading. Once the plant is established, Utah serviceberry tolerates drought well [20,41].

Utah serviceberry shares many ecological and botanical characteristics with Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), on which much more researched has been conducted. Please refer to the FEIS summary for that plant for further information.

RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM:

Phanerophyte

REGENERATION PROCESSES:

Utah serviceberry reproduces from seeds or by sprouting from the root crown. In some years, Utah serviceberry is a prolific seed producer. The berries persist on tree unless removed by animals [33].

Utah serviceberry seeds require stratification to germinate. Only 1% of seed germinated after 30 days of constant 43° Fahrenheit (6 °C) temperature in 1 laboratory trial. By 75 days, 51% had germinated, and 95% germinated by 150 days [29]. Following uncontrolled storage in Utah, more than 96% of Utah serviceberry seeds germinated after 7 years of storage. Germination percentage dropped significantly at 10 years, to 90%, and then decreased to 0% after 25 years [38,39]. Utah serviceberry grows slowly from seed [41]. Annual growth was measured at Ephraim Canyon, Utah, to determine species appropriate for rapid site stabilization. Utah serviceberry seedlings grew at the following rate (in total inches of height reached each year):

 

	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1965
Utah serviceberry	1	3	19	26	26	26	26	26	30

Utah serviceberry seedlings grow most actively in the fall if moisture is available [29].

SITE CHARACTERISTICS:

Utah serviceberry grows on dry, open, rocky slopes, [8,18,21,24]. Precipitation in Utah serviceberry sites is low, with mean annual totals from 15 to 21 inches (380-535 mm) spread throughout the year [6,41].

Utah serviceberry grows best on coarse to medium well-drained soils, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 [41]. It requires excellent drainage and moderate summer precipitation [18]. Utah serviceberry is not salt tolerant [20].

In Texas, Utah serviceberry grows on limestone slopes, in canyons, on rocks, and frequently under conifers, [34]. Utah serviceberry grows well on southwest exposures [13]. In Utah, the older, taller, and densest stands occur at high-elevation sites with moist northern slopes and deep soils [22].

Utah serviceberry occurs at the following elevations [8,18,21,24,34,41]:

AZ from 2,000 to 7,000 feet (606-2100 m)
CA from 3,000 to 7,000 feet (900-2100 m)
CO from 5,000 to 9,500 feet (1520-2890 m)
MT from 3,500 to 4,100 feet (1065-1250 m)
TX from 5,400 to 8,000 feet (1636-2424 m)
UT from 3,000 to 9,000 feet (900-2750 m)
WY from 7,000 to 8,800 feet (2130-2680 m)

SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:

Utah serviceberry is a seral species [7,44] and is not shade tolerant [41]. In northwestern Colorado, small Utah snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilis) individuals are often found growing under large Utah serviceberry plants [45].

SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Utah serviceberry flowers from April to June [4,41]. Seeds mature after August 25 in Utah [33].

Related categories for SPECIES: Amelanchier utahensis | Utah Serviceberry