Arbutus Trees

Background

• Arbutus menziesii grows naturally as an understory tree from sea level to up to 6,000 feet, its range extending from Vancouver Island to Southern California. The tree is also referred to as Oregon laurel and Pacific madrone. The strawberry tree or Arbutus unedo is a native of southern Europe and the western Mediterranean region. The tree is used extensively as an ornamental plant in the United States.

Size

• Pacific madrone or arbutus menziesii generally achieves a mature height of 30 to 40 feet but has the potential of reaching 100 feet tall. The evergreen tree has a bushy, shrub-like growth habit with a spread that equals the height. Arbutus unedo grows up to 30 feet tall in its native habitat. The tree grows shorter in cultivation, ranging from 8 to 10 feet in height with an equal spread.

Description

• Arbutus menziesii has thin, peeling bark on a gnarled, twisted trunk. With age, the trunk becomes smooth. The oval foliage is 2 to 6 inches long, often with serrated edges. The leaves have white undersides. The 1/3-inch-long, white to pink flowers bloom in early summer followed by edible, berry-like, orange-colored fruit. Arbutus unedo has a similar peeling bark with red-shaded younger bark beneath. The 2- to 4-inch-long, toothed foliage is oblong to oval with glossy uppersides. The blueberry-like, white to pink flowers appear in clusters of weeping panicles followed by warty textured, red, 3/4-inch fruit that take a year to ripen.

Cultural Requirements

• Arbutus unedo is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10 and adapts well to acidic or alkaline soils. Plant in a protected site in areas of full to partial sun. The hardy tree is drought tolerant even in desert regions. Younger trees require regular water until established. Arbutus menziesii grows best in areas with cool, humid weather. Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, the tree prefers acidic, well-drained soil. Plant in full to partial sun and water regularly until established. The tree propagates easily with seed, cuttings or layering.