Shrub/small tree... could be serviceberry?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I have two tree books, but this plant looks like it could be any of serviceberry, chokecherry, buckthorn, or something else completely. There's a cluster of them on the line between my lot and the neighbors' and they seem to sucker quite a bit. In fall they have these dark purple or black round fruits about 1/4" diameter or maybe a little bigger. I'm trying to id the species to decide if I want to take them out or leave them.

I don't think there are any thorns on the limbs. I didn't notice any downiness on the leaves or twigs, which makes me question the serviceberry id. It looks like a buckthorn leaf I found online (possibly misidentified), but nothing like the buckthorns in my tree books. The leaves look mostly like an apple of some sort, but the berries are much more like tiny black hard cherries than a crabapple. This is why I am not an arborist.

Featured Answer

arbordave (SE MI)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

European buckthorn, a nasty invasive.

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Comments (11)

rylandely
Original Author
8 years ago
My post isn't showing up on the forums :( I'm going to add a comment to see if that causes it to show up.
J Williams
8 years ago
My guess would be buckthorn or pin cherry. Do the fruits have a stone? It is not a serviceberry.
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fatamorgana2121
8 years ago
Sadly, I agree that it is Rhamnus cathartica. Really tough invasive to get rid of. They laugh at being cut to the ground. I've read a great article (with positive results) on the non-chemical removal means they note in this data sheet: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/invasives/terrestrialplants/woodyplants/buckthorn_what_you_should_know.pdf
Embothrium
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The first two in your list (first sentence of original post) do not have the paired leaves and the leaf vein pattern of the buck-thorn.
whaas_5a
8 years ago
Ron, are you saying its not European buckthorn?
J Williams
8 years ago
One thing I've noticed with buckthorn is that the wood is yellow.
J Williams
8 years ago
https://www.ontario.ca/page/pin-cherry
weedwoman
8 years ago
Another vote for Buckthorn. The paired veins in the leaves are typical of Rhamnus; I don't see the glands on the leaf petioles I'd expect to see on a Prunus species; and the Pin Cherry description says the fruits are bright red and the original poster says they are black/purple.

Rhamnus cathartica at Virginia Tech Dendrology

WW
J Williams
8 years ago
My first feeling was buckthorn also, but I'm wondering if there are 2 species in one spot?
rylandely
Original Author
8 years ago
I studied the plant a little more carefully and found that there is a single thorn at the tip of each branch. Also the fruits contain three or four seeds each, so it seems the buckthorn ID is right. I appreciate everyone's responses. I guess it's time to start trimming.