Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Dwarf Alberta Spruce - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Picea glauca conica

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a small tree with very dense foliage. It is an attractive specimen in landscape designs and small yards. This plant naturally grows into the classic conical shape, but responds well to shearing and pruning.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is hardy and disease resistant. However, its thick foliage can collect mildew. Consider planting this tree in an open space where the wind can dry out its needles.

You can use this cultivar as a substitute for cedar or juniper.

Smoky Saskatoon is a large deciduous shrub that suckers and produces edible fruit. Smoky Saskatoons are one of the most productive and widely used Saskatoons and have large sweet berries with good yields.

One of the oldest and first good yielding cultivars, a majority of the commercial saskatoon orchards were based on this cultivar until Northline and other cultivars were introduced.

Smoky has slightly smaller fruit than Northline and a milder taste but is not acidic like Pembina, Thiessen or Honeywood.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Quick Facts

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $8.99
Lowest Price: $5.99 - SAVE UP TO 40%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: orange to red
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: dwarf white spruce
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, smokey saskatoon, smokey serviceberry, western juneberry, western serviceberry