Serviceberry is a sadly underused native tree that helps wildlife and is worth planting

The serviceberry tree is a North American native tree that AP gardening columnist Jessica Damiano thinks is sadly underused. Serviceberry's white flowers are some of the earliest spring bloomers. They're an important food source for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Later, the tree's berries sustain dozens of bird species and mammals, including humans, who can make them into jams, jellies and even serviceberry wine. There are more than 20 species of the North American native tree. Four of note are the Allegheny serviceberry, Canadian or Eastern serviceberry, downy serviceberry, and Utah or Western serviceberry.