Bethel Lutheran Church
125th Anniversary Celebration
Commemorative Trees

​

For Bethel’s 125th anniversary we are giving away fifty seedling trees to commemorate
the event. These trees were purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation. Please plant these
seedlings in your yard or another suitable location. Let them be a reminder to you of

Bethel’s strong roots and bright future.

Trees: Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
An elegant deciduous shrub, also called shadbush, shadblow, and juneberry, that
belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to North America (specifically to the Chicago
area). It is a four-season tree that offers delicate white star-shaped flowers in the spring, small
red berries in summer, excellent fall colors of yellow, orange, and red, and gray bark in winter.
These trees are attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. The berries are attractive to many
species of birds, including bluebirds, catbirds, grosbeaks, jays, mockingbirds, robins, thrushes,
woodpeckers, towhees, orioles, tanagers, and cedar waxwings. The fruit is usually eaten very
quickly by birds. The fruit is not toxic to dogs but will upset their tummy if they eat too many.
These can make an ideal addition to bird gardens and are especially effective planted on
the edges of woodlands, in shrub borders, and along streams and ponds. Serviceberries will
grow in ordinary garden soil but prefer moist, well-drained, acid conditions. They tolerate partial
shade. Mulch to keep the soil most. Water during very dry spells.

​

• Growth speed – Slow to moderate

• Sun preference – Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily, partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)

• Soil preference – Acid soil, Moist, Well-drained

• Shape – Rounded

• Seedling type – Flowering

• Mature height – Small tree 15’ – 25’

• Mature spread – 10’ – 15’

• Planting site – Residential and parks, Under utility lines, Wide median

• Tolerances – Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought, Wet sites

• Foliage – Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)

• Transplants well

• Planting considerations – Intolerant of pollution

• ​

Immediate Care Instructions
The seedlings have been kept in the refrigerator with periodic moistening of the roots and in a
plastic wrap since Wednesday. Please plan to plant the seedlings by Monday, if possible. You
should moisten the roots and keep the seedling in the refrigerator. Then the roots should be
soaked for 3-6 hours (do not over soak) before you plant the seedlings. Do not allow the roots
to dry out.

Planting Instructions
Plant directly in the ground at the correct depth. Stick to the natural soil. Do not add soil
amendments, fertilizer, or potting soil. Dig a wide hole with sloping sides. Center your tree in the
hole and adjust the height so the root collar sits even with the ground. Fill and firmly pack the
hole until the soil is at ground level. Create a water holding basin by forming a ring of soil about
3 feet around the base of the tree. Remove grass within 3 feet around the tree and add natural
mulch about 2 to 4 inches deep. Keep mulch from touching the trunk. Water generously every 7
to 10 days during the first year. Consider tree protection. Please find more instructions and a
video about planting on the Arbor Day Foundation website.

​

​

​