Arbutus menziesii

Common Names

Pacific Madrone, Madrone, Madrona, Strawberry Tree, Arbutus, Bearberry, Refrigerator Tree

Summary

Arbutus menziesii, commonly called Madrone or Pacific madrone, is an evergreen broadleaf tree native to the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California along the Pacific coast. It typically forms a tall, often multi-trunked tree with a twisting habit and distinctive cinnamon-red, thin bark that peels in flakes to reveal greenish underlayers. Leaves are glossy dark green and leathery, urn-shaped white flowers appear in clusters in spring, and red-orange berries persist into winter. The tree supports wildlife, with nectar from flowers attracting bees and hummingbirds, and fruit eaten by birds and mammals, while deep roots aid slope and bluff stability; it can resprout from a burl when damaged and is valued for erosion control and ornamental use.

Culture favors full sun to part shade and well-drained soils that are dry to moderately dry; drought tolerance is high once established, but overwatering or poorly drained soils reduce health. It is hardy in USDA zones 7–9, slow-growing, and difficult to transplant, especially after it is taller than a foot; propagation is commonly from seed with cold stratification, though semi-ripe cuttings or layering are also possible. In landscapes it is used as a striking specimen or accent tree, for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and bank stabilization; pruning should be minimal, and pest and disease pressures can include foliar blight, Phytophthora root rot, cankers, aphids and other issues.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

19.5-98.5 feet

Spread

20-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, coarse- to medium-textured, lime-free soil with a pH range of 4.5–7.4

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

4.5-7, acidic to neutral soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring (April–May)

Foliage Color

Dark glossy green on the upper surface with lighter green underneath.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color; evergreen with leaves green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth overall; juvenile growth 1–3 ft per year, older trees 1–2 ft per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds