The Birdtree, l’arbre aux oiseaux

A nature journal by Samuel LeGresley

The “Birdtree” name comes from a literal translation of the French expression L’arbre aux oiseaux, used by Middle-Age monks in Europe for the Serviceberry tree (Amelanchier sp.) as it attracted birds to their cloisters.

Since then, the Amélanchier, itself derived from the Occitan language, has had many names among settlers. One is the Serviceberry, another is Shadbush, another is Saskatoon, derived from the Cree word for the shrub.

Native inhabitants to the Wabanaki-Acadian forest region, the Mi’kmaq and the Wolastoqiyik, respectively call it glamuejmnaqsi and anqotuwawimin.

For a few days only in the spring, it puts on a show for pollinators with its long-petaled white flowers, to reward everyone including birds and people with its fruits that taste like small pears, in midsummer.

But this species is just one of the many plants attracting the birds and the bees in the region. It is for this reason that I have started a French-language blog on native plants, covering the many benefits of planting native and enjoying nature.

Instead of translating the blog to English, I have opted to create a kind of “nature journal” here on Substack, for my English-language readers. I will update you with my Wabanaki-Acadian Forest adventures.

Interested to hear more?