Strawberry tree

Strawberries growing on trees? Well, not exactly. But there is something called the Strawberry Tree, and it does produce a nice, edible red fruit. Just to add to the confusion, the common name doesn’t refer to the plant’s fruit, but to its flowers, which resemble those of the traditional strawberry. We’re talking about Muntingia calabura, a fast-growing shrub or small tree native over a large range from southern Mexico through the Caribbean and Central America, and into South America as far south as Argentina. It exists at elevations from sea level to 3,300 ft. Where native it may reach 35 ft. or so in height, but in southern Florida 12-15 ft. is more likely. It bears oblong or lanceolate leaves on spreading, almost horizontal branches. The Strawberry Tree is amenable to poor soils, whether alkaline or acidic and, once established, capable of withstanding drought and neglect. It can also be planted next to fresh water bodies, but will not tolerate salt. It has a reputation for holding up well to polluted air. For best results, plant this species in full sun. The fruit of M. calabura is round and smooth, up to 1/2 in. or so in diameter. Those characteristics account for some of its other common names: Jamaica Cherry, Panama Berry, and West Indian Cherry. It has lots of other common names, a tribute to its distribution around both New World and Old World tropics, where it has picked up local appellations. The flesh of the fruit is soft and quite sweet, somewhat fig-like in t...

• العربية • Aragonés • Asturianu • Azərbaycanca • تۆرکجه • Български • Català • Cebuano • Čeština • Corsu • Cymraeg • Dansk • Deutsch • Eesti • Ελληνικά • Español • Esperanto • Euskara • فارسی • Français • Gaelg • Galego • Hrvatski • Ido • Italiano • Latina • Ligure • Magyar • مصرى • Bahasa Melayu • Nederlands • 日本語 • Napulitano • Norsk bokmål • Norsk nynorsk • Occitan • Piemontèis • Polski • Português • Română • Русский • Sardu • Scots • Shqip • Slovenčina • Slovenščina • Suomi • Svenska • Türkçe • Українська • Tiếng Việt • Walon • Winaray • 中文 Synonymy • Unedo edulis • Arbutus vulgaris • Arbutus cassinifolia Steud. • Arbutus crispa Hoffmanns. • Arbutus croomii auct. • Arbutus integrifolia Sims • Arbutus intermedia Heldr. ex Nyman • Arbutus laurifolia L.f. • Arbutus microphylla auct. • Arbutus nothocomaros Heldr. ex Nyman • Arbutus procumbens Kluk ex Besser • Arbutus salicifolia (Lodd.) Cels ex Hoffmanns. • Arbutus serratifolia Salisb. • Arbutus turbinata Pers. ex Rchb. Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family strawberry tree. Fragaria. Its presence in Ireland also lends it the name "Irish strawberry tree", or cain, or cane apple (from the Irish name for the tree, caithne Taxonomy [ ] Arbutus unedo was one of the many species described by A study published in 2001 which analyzed Arbutus and related genera found Arbutus to be A. unedo to be closely related to the other Arbutus unedo and A. andrachne hybridise naturally where their ranges overlap; the...

If you stroll through a field in Tuscany or down a residential street in Portland, Oregon, you may find a tree sprouting what appear to be little red poof balls. This is Arbutus unedo, a tree that is native to the Mediterranean, but is also a popular ornamental plant throughout the United States’ Northwest. These lychee-looking balls typically fall to rot in the yards of homeowners who are often unaware that they are not only delicious in jams and liqueurs, but have served as powerful symbols in funeral rites and politics. The fruit earned the name “strawberry tree fruit” (not to be confused with Myrica rubra or Muntingia calabura, which also share the nickname) due to its strawberry-like appearance. But on closer inspection these fruits are rounder and contain tiny bristle-like protrusions. On its own, the flavor of this fruit’s orange flesh is like a bland peach. It has a sweetness, a slight sourness, and a soft yet sandy texture due to tiny seeds. But if the pulp is sieved, cooked, and prepared with sugar and lemon juice, it can be made into a delicious jam. In Portugal, where the plant is known as medronho, farmers in the Algarve region make a strawberry fruit–based brandy called aguardente de medronhos. The fruit is also a key ingredient in the Portuguese honey liqueur Dom Cristina (also known as Brandymel). Sardinians make a bitter honey ( miele di corbezzolo) from the strawberry tree, as well as styles of grappa from the honey and the fruit. But Arbutus unedo’s impo...

OVERVIEW Description A gracefully branched evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage and handsome cinnamon-colored bark. Masses of white flowers yield bright, edible strawberry-like fruits. A fuss-free plant for year-round interest in western gardens. Use as a small specimen tree to anchor a border, or create an informal hedge. Light Full sun, Partial sun Watering Once established water deeply occasionally. Blooms Fall to late winter Mature Size Grows 6 to 8 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide in 10 years; slightly larger with age. STYLE Landscape Use Design Ideas This handsome evergreen shrub can be grown as a large shrub or multi-trunk small tree, and is best planted where its ruddy, peeling bark can be admired as it matures. Use as a striking year-round focal point in a large waterwise border or on a front bank. Plant in pairs to flank an entryway path; space at least five feet from a patio or path to allow natural, artistic branching to develop and avoid need for pruning. Position three or five, randomly spaced along a back fence or property line to create visual interest. The twisted branching and dark green foliage create an attractive and easy backdrop for lower shrubs, grasses or groundcovers. Plant en masse to create an informal, minimal-care hedge. Flowers and fruit often appear at the same time. Cut stems and boughs make appealing centerpieces for fall and holiday tables, when the flowers and fruit are in prime season. Flower Color White Foliage Color Green Companion...

Phonetic Spelling ar-BU-tus U-nay-do Description Strawberry Tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Heath family native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe. The showy red edible fruits maturein autumn and have a high sugar content but are rather bland tasting. They can beused to make jams and jellies.Fruit production is variable,dependent on the weather and the fruits bruise easily so this plant has not been grown for commercial fruit productionmuch except for making brandy in Portugal. It is slow-growing, about 12"-24" a year, and usually reaches a height of15 feet but can grow up to35 feet tall. Grow it as a shrub or trained to a tree form to show off its interesting peeling bark. Strawberry Tree is easy to grow andadaptable to various climates and well-drained soils, including poor ones. It is tolerant of full sun to partial shade, salt, and drought once established. Lightly prune back the shoots regularly to maintain an attractive shape. Use as a specimen, for screening oras a small shade tree near a patio. With its glossy leaves, white flowers, red fruits and exfoliating bark this plant provides four seasons of interest for your landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to scales and thrips.Anthracnose, Phytophthora, root rot and rust are occasional disease problems. This plant struggles in humid climates. Fruit drop can be messy near hardscaped surfaces. See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: • ‘...

What is a madrone tree? Pacific madrone ( Arbutus menziesii) is a dramatic, unique tree that provides beauty to the landscape all year long. Keep reading to learn what you need to know to grow madrone trees. Madrone Tree Facts Pacific madrone is native to the coastal ranges of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to British Columbia, where winters are wet and mild and summers are cool and dry. It tolerates occasionally chilly weather, but isn’t highly frost-resistant. Pacific madrone is a versatile, relatively slow-growing tree that reaches heights of 50 to 100 feet (15-20 m.) or more in the wild, but usually tops out at only 20 to 50 feet (6-15 m.) in home gardens. You may also find it listed as the bayberry or strawberry tree. Native Americans ate the rather bland, reddish orange berries fresh. The berries also made good cider and were often dried and pounded into meal. Tea brewed from the leaves and bark were used medicinally. The tree also provided sustenance and protection for a variety of birds, and for other wildlife. The interesting, Growing Madrone Trees Madrone tree information tells us that Pacific madrone is notoriously difficult to transplant, probably because, in its natural environment, the tree is dependent on certain fungi in the soil. If you have access to a mature tree, see if you can “borrow” a shovelful of the soil under the tree to mix into the soil where you plant the seedlings. Also, Oregon State University Extension advises gardeners to ...

I am currently working on my master's in agricultural sciences, specialising in plant sciences. In my free time, I am passionate about growing my own fruit and veg. I find a real sense of balance gardening at my parent's house. When I'm not in the garden, I like to go hiking to discover amazing photo ops. Favourite fruit: currants and blackberries Favourite vegetables: carrots, mushrooms and onions The fruits of the strawberry tree look very similar to strawberries grown in the garden We will introduce you to the best varieties and show you how to plant and care for strawberry trees in the garden. Especially when in bloom and bearing lots of ripe fruit, strawberry trees look beautiful in gardens [Photo: lenic/ Shutterstock.com] Are those strawberries on the tree? Even though the fruits of the strawberry tree resemble the red berries, the two plants are not related. We will reveal what this strange tree is all about. Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • Strawberry tree: origin and properties The strawberry tree ( Arbutus) is originally from regions such as the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and even North America. The plant has impressed people for a long time, as shown by its mention in the poems of Virgil and Ovid. However, this plant is a real insider tip in Central European gardens today. The tree is characterised by its fairly slow growth, with a maximum height of about 5 to 40 meters outdoors depending on the species. The leaves of the evergreen tree or shrub resembl...

Everyone knows what a tree is and what a What is a Strawberry Tree? The strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo) is a charming shrub or small tree that is extremely decorative in your garden. It’s a relative of the Growing Strawberry Trees If you start growing strawberry trees, you’ll find that they have many delightful features. The shedding bark on trunks and branches is attractive. It’s a deep, reddish brown and becomes gnarled as the trees age. The leaves are oval with a serrate edge. They are a shiny dark green, while the petiole stems attaching them to the branches are bright red. The tree produces abundant bunches of tiny white blossoms. They hang like bells at the branch tips and, when pollinated by bees, they produce strawberry-like fruit the following year. Both flowers and fruits are attractive and ornamental. Unfortunately, strawberry tree information suggests that the fruit, while edible, is quite bland and tastes more like pear than berry. So don’t start growing strawberry trees expecting real strawberries. On the other hand, taste the fruit to see if you like it. Wait until it is ripe and falls from the tree. Alternatively, pick it off the tree when it gets a little squishy. How to Grow a Strawberry Tree You’ll do best growing strawberry trees in USDA zones 8b through 11. Plant the trees in full sun or partial sun but be sure you find a site with Strawberry tree care involves regular irrigation, especially the first few years after planting. The tree is reasonably d...

Common Name Strawberry tree, Killarney strawberry tree, Irish strawberry tree, cane apples, Dalmatian strawberry, arbutus Botanical Name Arbutus unedo Family Ericaceae Plant Type Shrub, evergreen Size 8-12 ft. tall and wide, up to 35 ft. tall and wide Sun Exposure Full sun, partial shade Soil Type Sandy, clay, or loamy, well-draining Soil pH Acidic, neutral, alkaline Bloom Time Fall Hardiness Zones 4-9 (USDA) Native Area Western Europe and the Mediterranean region Spacing, depth, and support If you plan to plant numerous trees or create a hedge with the strawberry tree, plant them 20 to 35 feet apart because the Arbutus unedo is considered to be small to medium in size depending on the cultivar you select. Younger trees may need a stake for support until they become more mature and hardy. Water It is important to water regularly for the first year so that the tree can form strong roots. The strawberry tree is known to become more drought-resistant as it matures, and it can even grow in salty areas. Plan on 1 inch of water each week to equal the number of inches in the trunks diameter. The Spruce / K. Dave Types of Strawberry Trees • 'Elfin King': If you don't want to deal with picking up lots of fallen fruit, choose the dwarf 'Elfin King' cultivar. The trade-off, of course, is that it produces less of the showy fruits. • 'Rubra': This strawberry tree cultivar produces deep pink flowers. • 'Compacta': This dwarf strawberry tree is popular because it only grows about 8 to 12...