You really can’t help but notice them. They really look quite striking this time of year. All those lovely white blossoms along the side of pretty much every road and field around.
They come in various sizes, from bushes a couple feet high to trees that are around twenty-five feet or more tall. But at the moment, they are all decked out in their spring finery. And before long, they will be loaded with berries.
They have a number of names. Sugar berries, shad blow, June berries, wild pears, although they have no resemblance to a pear at all. Out west, they are known as Saskatoon berries. If you’re wondering, the city was named after the berries, not the other way around. And in some cases, they are commercially grown.
Some of the names are based on other things happening at the time. Like shad blow because they bloom when the shad are running. June berry because the berries start to form in June, although they don’t usually get ripe until later in the summer. But they are generally known as a serviceberry.
Serviceberry also comes from something happening at the same time of year. The plants tend to bloom in early spring. Early spring is when the frost comes out of the ground, which meant the early settlers could finally bury those who passed away over the winter. So funeral services could be held. At least, that seems to be the story, although there is some doubt.
While there are several different varieties, we seem to have plenty growing wild around here. But does anyone use them for anything?
I have seen them called the most delicious fruit you aren’t eating, and while I have grabbed the odd handful later in the year and they are quite sweet, I have never actually harvested them. But you hear about Saskatoon berry pie, and jam and other things made with these berries, so someone is doing something with them.
There would seem to be enough if the blossoms are and indication. Although some of those trees do get a bit high for picking. And you might have to fight the birds for them. But it could be worth a try.
