Bring Out Your Dead!

If you have ever seen Monty Python's Holy Grail, you may recognize this post's title as a line from that movie. That scene replays in my head whenever I see this tree in bloom.

This flowering shrub is Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) or Shadbush. The flowers come out very early in spring before this tree's or any other tree's leaves come out. In the absence of leaves, these flowers really standout in the forest.

The story goes that the name Serviceberry dates back to a time when the flowers were a sign that the mountain roads were once again passable and preachers could once again hold services. This would also be a time when the ground had thawed enough to dig graves for those who passed over the winter; and funeral services could be held.

I am not sure that is the actual origin of this species' common name. But, it helps me remember it!