Common Name: Korean Juneberry

General Information

Amelanchier asiatica is a deciduous shrub or a tree with an open crown; it can grow up to 12 metres tall[]. The plant often suckers to form more than one main stem[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. A very ornamental plant, valued for its floral display, autumn colours and edible fruits, which can attract large numbers of birds to the garden[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Hilly and mountainous regions[]. On slopes by streams, mixed forests at elevations of 1,000 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich loamy soil in a sunny position or semi-shade[, ] but thrives in any soil, including chalk, so long as it is not too dry or water-logged[, ]. Plants succeed in quite shady positions but do not flower or fruit well there[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
All members of this genus have edible fruits and, whilst this is dry and uninteresting in some species, in many others it is sweet and juicy. Many of the species have potential for use in the garden as edible ornamentals. The main draw-back to this genus is that birds adore the fruit and will often completely strip a tree before it is fully ripe[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. Grafting onto seedlings of A. Lamarckii or Sorbus aucuparia is sometimes practised in order to avoid the potential problem of hybridizing[].

Edible Uses

Edible fruit, raw or cooked[, , ]. Of good quality[], the fruit is sweet and juicy, contains a few small seeds at the centre and has a hint of apple in the flavour[]. The fruit is rich in iron and copper[]. The bluish black, subglobose or depressed-globose fruit is around 10 - 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The following is a general description of the wood obtained from members of this genus:-
The heartwood is brown or reddish brown, it is usually absent from small specimens; the thick band of sapwood is slightly brownish. The texture is fine and uniform; the grain straight to irregular; lustre is medium; odour and taste are absent or not distinctive. The wood is hard, heavy, compact, tough, and strong, where formed the dark heartwood is durable. The appearance of the wood is usually marred by numerous brown lines (pith flecks). The wood is easily worked, taking a good polish. When of sufficient sice the wood is used locally for purposes such as tool handles and other small items - it is of no commercial interest, however, because of its scarcity and the small size of the plants[].

Propagation

Seed - it is best harvested 'green', when the seed is fully formed but before the seed coat has hardened, and then sown immediately in pots outdoors or in a cold frame. If stored seed is obtained early enough in the autumn, it can be given 4 weeks warm stratification before being left out in the winter and it should then germinate in the spring. Otherwise seed can be very slow to germinate, perhaps taking 18 months or more. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a sheltered outdoor position, planting them out once they are 20cm or more tall.
If there is sufficient seed it is best to sow it thinly in an outdoor seedbed[, ]. Grow the seedlings on for two years in the seedbed before planting them out into their permanent positions during the winter.
Layering in spring - takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in late winter. The suckers need to have been growing for 2 years before you dig them up, otherwise they will not have formed roots. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required.