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Oak Wilt Update
OAK WILT ADVISORY
April 15th 2008
STATUS: HIGH RISK
FORECAST: HIGH RISK, expect low risk period to begin around the beginning of July
EXPECT NEXT UPDATE: July 1, 2008
FIELD NOTES: With spring finally upon us, the oak wilt fungi and vector beetles have come out of dormancy. Do not prune or wound you oak trees to avoid the transmission of oak wilt.
J. Juzwik
Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
Tree of the Month
Amalenchier Canidensis
Common name: Service berry
Description:
Also called Juneberry, Shadbush, and Shadblow. Large multi-stemmed shrub (sometimes considered a tree), ranging from southern Canada, to Main, and South to Alabama. Possesses smooth light-grey bark which produces longitudinal cracks at old age. Serviceberry grows well underneath the shade of buildings or other trees.
Serviceberry is well known for its intense orange, yellow, or red foliage in the fall. The fall colors, along with the hardiness of the tree, are two reasons for its popularity as an ornamental tree.
The shrub’s flowers are another reason for its ornamental appeal. The serviceberry is one of the earliest spring-blooming trees. Blooming in early spring, the flowers are about one inch with five white petals.
Hidden amongst the leaves of the tree after the flowers have bloomed are blue-black fruits. The fruit ripens in mid summer and are eaten by birds, often before they are spotted.
Uses and Facts:
The berries of the serviceberry are actually pomes, that is, they are more similar to apples than they are to any other berry. The berries of the plant are sweet and sometimes a little bitter. They were a source of food in the pioneer days and are sometimes used in making jellies.
Photos courtesy of www.urbanforestryservices.com, www.flickr.com, www.floridata.com, and www.ontariowildflower.com.
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