Strawberry Tree

Evergreen tree with slow growth up to 30′. The leaves are a glossy deep green with red stems trunk and branches have rich reddish brown peeling bark. Flowers are clusters of pale pink urn shaped later forming round fruit that changes from yellow to red and is edible.Arbutus unedo is a tree in the manzanita family. The dark trunks of the Strawberry Tree are twisted and curved with a slightly “sculptural” aspect to their growth.  The mildly fragrant creamy white flowers of Arbutus unedo are produced in the Winter and into the Spring.The fruit vaguely resembles strawberries.  The Strawberry Tree fruit is edible but has an unusual texture. Arbutus unedo regardless of its edibility is a good tree for the garden. The Strawberry Tree will tolerate a low water garden but prefers at least a moderate amount of irrigation. Arbutus unedo will grow to 25 feet or more tall and wide.  There is a dwarf variety around that can easily be kept to 6-8 feet tall and can be used as a hedge. The dark green foliage is quite suitable for this purpose.  Arbutus ‘Marina’ is a cross between this species and Arbutus menziesii Modrono. It sports orange red trunks and similar leaves and flowers.