SERVICEBERRY BLOOMS: A SURE SIGN OF SPRING Harry Blanche! Penn Stale Cooperative Extension Agent Natural events signify the coming of spring for many Penn sylvanians. Some people think of the first robins singing or for sythia bushes blooming as har bingers of spring. Others look for the appearance of white service berry blossoms. Serviceberries are shrubs and small trees that grow in woodlands and thickets throughout Pennsylvania. They are easy to overlook during most of the year, but in early spring, they become conspicuous be cause their blossoms brighten drab woodlands. Serviceberries are important for wildlife. 'According to Dr. Susan J. Aid worth of the Botany Department at lowa State Uni versity, at least 22 species of birds and 11 species of mammals eat some part of serviceberry plants. Serviceberry shrubs and trees not only flower early; they also are one of our first trees to produce fruit. Thus, the berries are a significant source of food for nesting and migrating birds that are returning to Pennsylva nia from their winter ranges. Catbirds, northern flickers, rob ins, thrushes, waxwings, orioles, and grosbeaks consume service Diesel Model 3210 Gasoline Model 325 Also Available M 1 428D - 28 HP Diesel Zero-Turn Grasshoppers with front mounted mowers have the DuraMax™ 90° Flip-Up™ Deck for easy blade change, storage and transport berry fruits in late spring and early summer, while ruffled grouse browse the buds in winter. Serviceberry fruits, bark, buds, and twigs provide nourishment for black bears, beavers, foxes, red squirrels, rabbits, hares, and white-tailed deer. People as well as wildlife eat serviceberry fruits. Native Amer icans mixed serviceberries with venison and bear meat to make pemmican. Today, people use serviceberries in pies, jellies, and jams. One interesting thing to learn about a plant or animal is the origin of its common name. Serv iceberry plants also are called sarvisberry, sarvis, shadbush, shadblow, and Juneberry. One possible origin for the name “serviceberry” was to signify the reappearance of circuit-riding preachers in rural parts of the Appalachians after their absence in winter. The preachers con ducted services for prayer meet ings, weddings, and funerals. Thus, to some people, the bloom ing of serviceberry trees and shrubs meant preachers would soon be returning to conduct services. The common name “sarvis” may have derived from the way the word “service” sounds in certain dialects. Some authorities dispute the above ex planations and believe that both terms refer to a similar English DISTRIBUTORS INC. 311 Willow St., Terre Hill, PA 17581 717-445-8431 Financing Available. Call For Details. fruit tree known as “service” or “sarvis.” “Shadbush” or “shadblow” probably originated because the tree blooms at about the same time that shad run up Atlantic Coast rivers to spawn. Juneberry refers to the mouth when the fruits ripen over much of its range. Whatever the source of its common names, there are several species of serviceberries and a variety of preferred habitats. For example, some species occur on dry hillsides, while others thrive in wet areas. The growth form can also vary by species. Some tend to become small trees, while others are more shrub-like. As is often the case when there are a variety of forms and habitats, identification to an exact species can be difficult. The identifica tion problem is compounded be cause nurseries have developed cultivated serviceberries, and there are many naturally occur ring hybrids. Serviceberries are favorite plants for many gardeners and people who enjoy the outdoors. They are native to Pennsylvania and attractive year-round. The flowers brighten dreary spring woodlands and foliage adds color to autumn landscapes. Service berries also are an important source of food for wildlife. The Pennsylvania Forest Stew ardship Program provides pri vate forestland owners with in formation and assistance to promote healthy and productive forests. Call the Forest Steward ship Program toll free at (800) 235-WISE to request the follow ing free publications that provide more information about service berries and wildlife —1) Forest Stewardship Bulletin #5: Wild life; 2) Pennsylvania Wildlife #7: Landscaping for Wildlife; and 3) Pennsylvania Wildlife #10: Neighborly Natural Landscap ing. E SEE THE Mount Mo Starting as low $ 6,795 Powder Coated To Fusion-Bonded Fini Chip and Rust-Resistanc SSHOPPER DOES IT Distributed By: LAWN CARE Call for the name of your nearest dealer ‘Greenworks’ TV Show Receives Top National Awards HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co) The “Green Works for Penn sylvania” television series has won top honors in the 2001 Vid eographer Awards. “The strength of the ‘Green- Works for Pennsylvania’ televi sion show is its ability to show people in action,” said Depart ment of Environmental Protec tion (DEP) Acting Secretary David E. Hess. “Pictures provide a much more powerful tool in commu nicating the message of environ mental stewardship to the audi ence, especially to students.” The Green Works program “The Environmental Classroom” received the top honor “Award of Excellence” in the Programs/ Community Access category, as well as “Honorable Mention” in the Creativity/Editing category. The episode was edited by Mary Erades. The Environmental Classroom features students at the Mona gacci program at East Hills Mid dle School in Bethlehem, North ampton County, who are learning more by integrating en vironmental education into their curriculum. Another episode, “From the Bay to Pa.,” shot by videogra pher David Sarasti, received an “Award of Distinction” in the Creativity/Cinematography cat egory. This “Green Works” epi sode travels the Chesapeake Bay watershed through areas of Mar yland and Pennsylvania to show Vie Salute Our Faming Industry Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 5,2001-A23 how people’s actions hundreds of miles away can impact the Bay. The “Green Works” shows awarded were chosen from more than 2,400 entries from the Unit ed States and several foreign countries in this year’s competi tion. “Green Works" is produced by the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania (EFP) in partner ship with the DEP. “We are hon ored to receive these awards for the show,” EFP Executive Direc tor Timothy J. Schlitzer said. “Our goal is to inspire everyone to get to get involved with pro tecting our environment by showing positive stories of people working to do that on ‘Green- Works.’” EFP funds environmental edu cation and improvement projects from contributions made through payroll-deduction programs set up by employers and the com monwealth, and other donations. To date, 83 stations in Penn sylvania carry the show. Any broadcast outlet in Pennsylvania may request the series, and cop ies of each show may be pur chased from EFP for a minimal charge. For a listing of stations carry ing Green Works and informa tion on particular broadcasts, visit the PA Power Port at www.state.pa.us, visit the Green- Works website at www.green works.tv or call EFP at 1-877-PAGREEN. Mow Circles around the others Gas Models 220 & 225 hi I
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