Scientific name: Arbutus menziesii
Synonym: Arbutus procera Douglas non Sol.
Family: ERICACEAE
Common names: “Madrona” “Arbutus” “Tall strawberry tree”
Plant Type: Evergreen tree
Conditions:
Zone: 7
Light: Full sun – light shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Acidic, course rocky shallow soils
Moisture: Dry – summer drought, can be killed by irrigation
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 20-80′ W 20-25′
Leaf and Stem shape: Smooth reddish cinnamon-brown/green brown bark and glossy dark green leaves, whitish beneath
Flower: Terminal panicles of fragrant white, urn-shaped flowers in spring followed by small orange fruits in fall
Pruning: Do not prune
Maintenance: Low in optimum conditions, do not irrigate in summer, avoid root disturbance, avoid damage to lower trunk
Landscape use: Wallside borders, container? , native gardens, seaside
Propagate: By seed and cuttings (difficult)
Pests & Disease: Species under threat from abiotic stresses (urbanization, pollution, climate change) increased susceptibility to biotic stresses:
Leaves develop spots over fall and winter but not considered serious, root rot caused by phytophthora & canker disease are serious, diseases can be transmitted via the water table
Comments: Canada’s only native broadleaf evergreen tree, usually only found within 1-2 km from the ocean, protected species in BC
