Sometimes called strawberry trees , madrone tree ( Arbutusspp . ) all deal traits in common , such as broadleaf evergreen leaves and showy red berries , but what makes these trees instantly recognizable as madrone trees is their attractive , peeling barque , which is highly textured and reddish Brown University in color .
Roughly 12 species go to the genusArbutusbut only a handful part the common name madrone . Although they share many traits , each madrone Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree species has its own unique characteristic , origin and significance to local mass and wildlife . Among the most wide known are the Pacific madrone , the Texas madrone and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree call only " strawberry tree diagram . "
Pacific Madrone Trees
peaceable madrone trees ( Arbutus menziesii ) are native to the mountains of the Pacific Coast of North America , from British Columbia to Oregon and down into primal and northern California . Sometimes call in madronas or madroños , these glossy Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grow best in USDA hardiness zone 5a to 8b , where they can get to a mature height of 30 to 65 foot .
Pacific madrones are evergreen plant trees that mature mainly in foggy mountain habitats of the west coast on steep , rocky gradient . As a result , they must be planted in very well - draining grunge in dwelling house gardens , because they are susceptible to source rot and cankers when grown in soggy grunge .
peaceable madrone trees partake in their habitat with iconic specie such as the sea-coast redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens , USDA zone 7 to 9 ) , California blackness oak ( Quercus kelloggii , USDA zones 7 to 9 ) and the Douglas true fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii , USDA zones 4 to 6 ) . Their dainty blossoms course hummingbirds , and they provide food and protection for significant razzing species such as striation - tailed pigeons and woodpeckers .
One gripping fact about Pacific madrone tree is that they raise a structure call a " burl , " which is a regenerative organ located underground at the radical . It contains a high engrossment of cells that react to and repair any damage to the tree — include wildfire damage .
Texas Madrone Trees
Texas madrone trees ( Arbutus xalapensis ) are small native Tree with an attractive , urn - shape growth use and leathery leave . They uprise best in well - enfeeble stain within USDA hardiness zones 7 and 8 , which is the same hardiness range of a function as their native home ground of Texas and New Mexico . This species can reach 50 feet in elevation at maturity but is often much smaller with a spreading ontogeny habit .
Texas madrone trees need full sun with some very light-headed midday shade , if they are grown in inadequate grunge . Their native landscape is quite coarse , so these drought - large-minded trees serve their seedling through the multiplication process by sheltering the fresh sprouts as they become established . Called " nurse trees , " ripe Texas madrones shelter the smother grease and help it continue wet as the seedling get .
Texas madrone Charles Edward Berry were used by Native Americans as a food source .
Strawberry Trees
strawberry mark trees ( Arbutus unedo ) are small trees that take place course on the woodlands and bluffs of the Mediterranean and the British Islands . They mature good in USDA zone 7 to 10 , where they reach a fledged acme of 10 to 15 feet with a 10- to 15 - foot spread .
strawberry mark tree diagram have a vase - shape growth habit with multiple trunks , but they can trained to have a exclusive trunk , if the pruning physical process start while they are still young .
Strawberry trees earned their unwashed name from their reddish Charles Edward Berry , which have a distinctly strawberry - like coming into court . The Chuck Berry are also edible but , unfortunately , strawberry tree diagram berries are very smooth and do not share the same fragrant , sugary flesh as true strawberry .
Although the yield of the strawberry tree is not tasty when eaten out of hand , it is used extensively in the brandy production trade within Portugal .
The metal money name unedo issue forth from the word of Pliny the Elder who allegedly said of the strawberry tree diagram fruit , " unum tantum edo , " which translates to " I eat only one " .
Growing Madrone Trees
Madrone tree of all variety are easy to grow , if they are plant and grown under the correct conditions . The veracious care is also important , but it can not correct poor growing conditions .
Planting Madrone Trees
Tip
Plant madrone tree diagram so that their burl is below the filth surface — shallow planting can damage the burl .
Caring for Madrone Trees
Madrone trees involve regular upkeep , particularly when young . disregard can leave in weak tree with short bloom and yield production .
Water madrone trees only when the soil finger dry below the surface .
