In the same family with apples and plums and cherries is a group of
slender, pretty trees called June berry, serviceberry, and on the East
coast, shadbush. When the shadbush blossoms white, the fishermen know
that it is time to expect the shad, which are taken in nets when they run
up the rivers to spawn. The red berries are ripe in June, and the birds
celebrate the event, and even take them before they begin to redden.
Competition is strong, and the supply never equals the demand. Rarely can
a human berry-picker find a ripe berry, to discover how it tastes.
The charm of this little tree is that it covers its slim branches so
early with white blossoms. The clusters are soft and feathery, and a warm
flush underlies the white, the ruddy, strap-shaped bracts, two of which
are under each flower. The dainty opening leaves are also ruddy, and
these have opened before the blossoms pass.
In early April it is worth a long walk or drive through the woods to see
the scattered serviceberry trees standing out from the bare background of
leafless trees, lovely as any tree can ever be, in their robes of white.
Thereafter, they seem to retire from view, engulfed by the foliage
curtain the woodland draws about itself, as spring advances.