Wednesday Street Tree #7
Juneberry or snowy mespilus
This week’s street tree is an Amelanchier, a genus much planted on London streets in recent decades. I’m going to struggle to tell you exactly which species of Amelanchier this is. It is a confusing genus which is also reflected in its many common names: June berry, serviceberry, shadbush, snowy mespil, and plenty of variations on these. Nurseries sell A. lamarckii, A. canadensis, A. arborea, A. laevis and A. grandiflora, some of which have the cultivar name ‘Robin Hill’ just to add to our confusion.
Moving swiftly on then… They are delightful small trees that have lots going for them as street trees: lovely spring flowers, attractive spring leaf colouring and a fine autumn show. I passed this one on a quiet residential street, and was drawn to its fiery colour, which on close inspection is even more interesting: each leaf has distinct contours of colour, from a rim of gold, followed by a thick band of scarlet surrounding bright green at the centre.
It struck me that Amelanchiers could make lovely subjects for bonsai: they are not too large and have small leaves, which I am sure would miniaturise well given some expert handling.
What is it?
Juneberry
Amelanchier arborea ‘Robin Hill’ (but I could be wrong!)
Where is it?
Trinder Road, London N19 4QT
///sofa.piper.leaned | 51.571165, -0.119212
Autumn tree walk in Finsbury Park
I’ll be leading a walk around Finsbury Park on Saturday 2nd November with the Park’s friends group. I’ve been leading this walk twice a year now for the last few years, but there’s always something new to see. Thanks to Haringey Council, it’s free too!
A beautiful example. Amelanchier is high on my list of ‘best value’ trees because they offer such goods in every season, spring colours, blossom, autumn colours and, often, a lovely crown shape in winter bareness or summer fullness.
Agree on their confusing species though, it was always a challenge on a nursery if one was mislaid, one for VERY careful labelling!
There is now a rather wonderful book about economic reciprocity called The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer (she wrote Braiding Sweetgrass). Although it's shorter its challenge of the economic orthodoxy makes it somewhat similar to the Doughnut Economy by Kate Raworth