Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Witch Hazel

Amelanchier alnifolia Martin

Hamamelis virginiana

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Witch Hazel

Martin Saskatoon is a prairie hardy shrub. The berries have a large size and a delicious taste. This species has consistent yield, making it great for both orchards and small gardens. The berries ripen uniformly, making them convenient for machine harvesting.

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium


Berries: produces large edible berries
Seeds: seeds ejected to a distance of up to 30 ft
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry