Christie, We have some serviceberry trees scattered in our woods. When we moved here we cleared a stretch of woods along our road that had a neighbors field along that stretch. we left 2 serviceberry trees along the fence row and they both died by the next year. I'm not sure if it was the sun or the loss of its habitat that it was use to.
vickie

I ordered a bundle of serviceberry trees,too, Christie. What were we thinking? My sister is going to take six or so of them. I'm hoping to give away several more. If any of you Missourians want one and can meet me at the Pricecutter on east Battlefield I'd be glad to share with you. Nothing against you out of state folks. It is just that these are supposed to stay in MO.
I'm planning to plant mine in a nursery bed in my garden and let them grow there a couple of years. I expect them to be too small to grow safely in the yard which is mowed by a crazy plant-blind man.
I think your idea to grow them along your drive way is a good one. I did some research on where they grow best and there didn't seem to be a consensus. We'll know in ten or fifteen years.

I received my serviceberry trees yesterday. They are much larger than I expected. I thought they'd be 12-18 inches but they are between 30 and 40 inches. I think I'll go ahead and plant them in a nursery garden just because I haven't really thought out where I want to put them. We are still cutting down trees and clearing out brush from the ice storm in January. These are mostly elm trees in an old fence row and needed to go. I just can't see myself telling my husband that while he is working himself to death cutting and hauling that I will be planting 25 new trees. He isn't a gardener and wouldn't understand the difference between elm trees and serviceberries...

peaceofmind, I couldn't get my husband too interested in planting trees now either! I think we have the serviceberry tees growing at the edge of the woods back on the farm. I am not very good at recognizing various species of wild things, or I should say native things. I need to order MDC's field guide to native trees.

I got mine too! Hope they do ok in full sun because I really don't have a spot with morning sun only. The site below says full sun is ok but it's for Illinois a little further north. I think I'll put some of mine in a nursery bed too.

Here is a link that might be useful: amelanchier arborea

Our woods are full of them, and I have left the ones in our yard/flowerbeds. The ones in full sun have done fine for the 23 years we have lived here! They are one of my favorites. Some of them will be bursting into bloom in a few days. We have two species, and one is earlier than the other. They ARE a short-lived tree, probably about 20+ years. The one in front of our house was just a tiny seeding when we finished our house, and moved in. It still looks pretty good.

Glad to hear you have some doing ok in full sun Marian. Thank you. I think the ones I received will be the earlier blooming type.

I think they can handle full sun if they've got decent soil and good drainage. With any tree, the first summer is crucial. Plant them well, water and mulch them, and watch them when it gets awful this summer. They will flower better and have better autumn color if they get at least half a day of sun. Look for flowers in a couple of years. Good luck!

I think Pauln has something there about the 'planting' in full sun. Ours are all volunteers, and not transplanted. The one at the South corner of our house came up at the base of an oak tree. We cut down the oak and turned the serviceberry into full sun. It was only a tiny seedling. It was 21 years ago that we cut down the oak.
It is the orange tree in this pic:
{{gwi:184659}}
This was taken last fall.

Marian

That's beautiful Marian! I love these trees. Especially the ones that are all twisted and sculpted on ridgetops in the hills. They have such beautiful bark and shape. I ordered one a few years back, not sure of the species, and it has only dissappointed. I think it's an "improved" cultivar. The ozark natives are much better for flower, shape, and autumn color.