One of the loveliest spring-blooming trees on our property is the serviceberry, Amelanchier x grandiflora. It is a cultivar called “Autumn Brilliance,” a name that hints at its beauty in another season.

Ours is a hybrid of the native serviceberries Downy and Allegheny, which would make it a nativar, or a cultivar bred to combine the desirable traits of native plants.

Various species of serviceberries are native to much of the U.S. and southern Canada. Some are shrub-like, and others would be considered small trees. All grow in full sun to part shade and tolerate most soil types except for heavy, wet clay. In other words, they are very adaptable and suitable for most landscaping conditions.

The tree in our landscaping is multitrunked as are most serviceberries. It offers dappled shade to the perennials planted underneath. The trunks are gray with horizontal striation providing winter interest.

I have removed some of the lower branches to make the trunks more visible

In mid-April, the soft, fuzzy, silver-green flower buds swell and remain that way for two to three weeks before finally blooming. The white five-petalled blooms may last up to a week. It is the timing of the bloom that has given serviceberry its name.

Historically, mid-April was the time in some parts of the country when the ground had thawed enough for burials or funeral services to take place.

Fruit the size of blueberries follows flowering and ripens in June, explaining another of its common names — Juneberry. When ripe, the fruit is a deep red and very tasty — that is if you can get to them before the birds.

And that brings us to the cedar waxwing, my fruit-eating nemesis!

The cedar waxwing is found in southern Canada and the northern half of the U.S. Some migrate to the south in winter and others stay year-round. On a cold day last week, I saw a flock in my yard. Perhaps they were feeding on the winterberries.

They are a striking bird, and the name comes from the bright red, wax-like tips of their wings. The tail is edged in vivid yellow. The body is grayish-brown, a crest tops the head and a black mask surrounds the eyes.

The preferred habitat has small trees and shrubs that provide shelter and food. Creek-side areas offer emerging aquatic insects, and they can also be found in orchards and gardens.

Waxwings move from place to place in a flock until they settle down to produce offspring. They communicate with high-pitched hissy or buzzy whistles and physical displays.

If you hear multiple whistles coming from a tree, look closely because it is most likely a flock of waxwings.

At our house, they are probably planning a raid on the newly fruited serviceberry. I prefer my berries ripe, but they don’t care which gives them the feeding advantage.

For more information on serviceberries, go to: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/serviceberry-early-flower

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Steffen is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.