Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Hawthorn

Amelanchier alnifolia Northline

Crataegus douglasii

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Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Black Hawthorn

Northline Saskatoon is a native shrub that's famous for its great-tasting fruit. The berries are terrific for fresh eating and cooking. The Saskatoon bush itself can be quite large and produces an abundance of fruit. Saskatoons are hardy and can tolerate partial shade and a variety of growing conditions.

Northline Saskatoon is popular because it seldom gets over 8 feet in height, which makes it ideal for U-Pick orchards and over-row harvester equipment. The uniform ripening of the berries in full clusters and the desirable sweet taste also make this variety a favorite.

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Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: orange to red
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: white
Fruit: Northline produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple