Summer Berries

Across the northern hemisphere, as spring moves into summer, animals are able to find more food sources.  Amelanchier and mulberry trees are two fruit-bearing plants that are favorites of many bird and mammal species, including humans.

Amelanchier is a genus of 30 species of pome-bearing fruit trees in the family Rosacea.  This family includes several other fruit-bearing trees including apples, pears, and plums.  The tree is a favorite for landscapers with its many white flowers covering the tree in early spring and its brilliant hues of red and orange in the autumn.  Amelanchier can be a single stem or a multi-stemmed plant and will grow in almost any soil type, but the ideal habitat is partly sunny, well-drained areas of open woodland.

Amelanchier are known by many names.  Serviceberry comes from the fact that when the plants are in bloom, the ground is thawed enough to hold funeral services.  In the Cree Indian language, it is known as saskatoon, a name still commonly used in western North America.  Shadblow, in old English, refers to a time when the bloom indicated the shad were running.  Juneberry refers to the time of year when the berries ripen.

^{Amelanchier fruit by Oregon State University, Jul 2013; Immature mulberry fruit by Geo Lightspeed7, Apr 2022; Unripe white mulberries by Petru Dimitriu}

Serviceberry fruit is slightly larger than a blueberry and tastes of blueberry, lightly peppered with strawberry and almonds.  The berries are light green when young and gradually grow plump and sweet as they ripen to dark red and purple.  They are a favorite of many bird species including robins and cedar waxwings in my area.  Fruit is rapidly eaten as soon as it starts to darken, and almost none is left to fully ripen unless the tree is covered with netting.

Mulberry trees, of the genus Morus, have 64 species worldwide, and are another important summer food source. Red mulberry, Morus rubra, is the only one native to the United States.  White mulberry, Morus alba, is native to South Asia but can be found on many continents, and it is considered an invasive in parts of Brazil and the U.S.  All species grow quickly when they are young, reaching heights of nearly 80 feet.

Mulberry trees can be easily grown from either seed or a plant cutting.  The market for their fruit is worldwide with some places, such as the U.S., importing millions of pounds each year.  While easy to grow, establishing a viable crop for market has many difficulties.  Trees do not produce fruit for the first ten years, and their highest yields are when the trees are 30-80 years old.  The fruit is a favorite of many bird and mammal species, and is often eaten well before it is ripe enough to pick.  Leading producers are Turkey and Iran who have been growing mulberries for several centuries.

Plump, juicy, and sweet berries from both plants are high in vitamin C and iron.  Fruits can be eaten straight from the trees or used in a variety of recipes.  Other parts of these plants contain a milky sap that is mildly toxic to animals and humans if ingested.  The wood is hard, tight-grained and heavy, with many of the same qualities as oak.  It is used in furniture and fence posts.  Historically, it has been used for arrow shafts and body armor.  Amelanchier leaves and bark may be dangerous to cattle, sheep, and goats if consumed in large quantities.  The white mulberry, Morus alba, is an important tree for the silk industry.  The leaves of this species are the only food source for the silkworm, Bombyx mori; its cocoons are used to produce silk. 

As you walk woodland areas near your home, watch for berry-loaded trees in your neighborhood.  Keep track of each time you see them and what stage the berries are in – and how many are left on the tree.  See if you can observe and learn more about who is eating this sweet, juicy food source of summer.