You might check out one of the hybrids that are recommended for narrow planting areas, such as A. x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' (link below). Serviceberry's are susceptible to damage by some pests and diseases, but I wouldn't consider them an isolated species, as most plants sometimes fall prey to similar or worse maladies. I also don't consider a normal lifespan of 50-60 years to be short lived. That's much longer than the Eastern Flowering Dogwood, for example. The only problem I've encountered with Serviceberry's, is finding the cultivar I want to plant! But they are becoming more available and I see them sometimes at the bigbox stores. Rb Here is a link that might be useful: Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance'

do you mean a local source? maybe post this on the carolina gardening forum for those. there are many online sources for this tree. forest farm in oregon is a reputable mailorder source. also, mailorder natives in florida sells amelanchier. i have ordered from there and have been pleased with her plants. Here is a link that might be useful: mailorder natives

Technically the label is "the law". The active ingredient of Immunox (myclobutanil) is also available as Eagle (liquid form) and Rally (WP) in large quantities for commercial use. Myclobutanil is used on apples and cleared for it for scab and rust issues. Not sure why Spectracide brand Immunox does not list this product for edible crabapples. I have had similar issues with Malathion for apples. One brand at the store listed their Malathion for using on apples for insect control and the other 2 brands that had Malathion did not list it for use on apples on the label. I no longer use Malathion on apples but I got calls at the nursery I work at about this issue so I went to the local chain store and saw the problem for myself. I can't tell you to break the law and apply the product on a crop that it is not labeled for. If your Immunox label says it is cleared for use on apples, then it would be Safe to use on crabapples as well ( that you are going to eat). Perhaps not legal but safe. Since most serviceberries in the U.S. are grown for ornamental purposes only, perhaps Spectracide did not bother to register their product for use on edible serviceberries. Actually all of them are edible but Smoky and many others are grown primarily for the fruit (I am partial to running serviceberry for its excellent tasty fruit.)

Umm, not specific to serviceberries (of which I've grown three), but I would almost argue get the smallest container grown tree you can find from a local grower/native plant seller. The problem with a larger tree from a commercial source is transplant shock from root loss (as they cut the roots when digging) and it takes years to recover and get going again. I've often found that younger trees that haven't had that terrible trauma (and hopefully are not root bound) actually will make better growth than the big one that was in poor condition to start with. Neither is going to be a growth speed demon though, as you may have guessed from above. This is a tree to plant for your retirement in your forever home or for your children to enjoy.