Wildlife Value
All parts of the plant has some benefit to wildlife for winter food, but most important during summer and fall. Among the most important plants for wildlife cover and food. The shrubby, thicket-forming growth provides cover for songbird nesting, loafing, and roosting; and animal loafing and bedding. The fruit and foliage are relished by a great number of wildlife species, including songbirds, upland game birds (particularly sharp-tailed grouse), rodents, and other small mammals, bears, whitetail and mule deer. Native to most of North America.
| Growth form | ovoid to irregular |
| Crown density | moderate |
| Size | 6-20' high 6-20' spread |
| Drought resistance |
good |
| Cold hardiness | excellent |
| Growth rate | rapid |
| Life span | moderate |
| Elevation range |
to 9,000 feet |
| Soil conditions |
good alkaline tolerance; grows well on most soils |
| Possible insect problems |
borers, pear slug sawfly |
| Possible disease problems |
black knot, fireblight |
| Wildlife value | good: song and ground birds; good: small mammals, and browse for deer |
| Seasonal color | golden yellow to orange fall foliage |
| Miscellany | delicious edible fruit for jellies and pies; native; can be poisonous to livestock |