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Arbutus unedo

Arbutus unedo

Killarney Strawberry Tree, Strawberry Tree, Cane apple

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Description

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree) is a small to medium sized tree, often multistemmed shrub with evergreen foliage and was described by Carl Linneus in his Species Plantarum in 1753. In its native habitats around the Mediteranean sea it is growing in dry and sunny scrublands together with other shrubby species, such as Myrtus communis, Cistus incanus and Pistacia lentiscus. The strawberry tree can reach about ten to twelve metres high when conditions are favourable, however mostly forming a low, dense shrub.

Leaves of Arbutus unedo are oblonged, thick and waxy, gently serrated on the margins. Flowers are born in pendulous clusters with creamy white ericaceaous flowers, which are providing nectar for late populations of bees and many other insects as it is flowering and ripening its red, strawberry like fruits at the same time in October-November. The fruits are sweet and tasty, the small seeds are distributed by birds as they are highly attracted to eat them. The bark is less ornamental than on Arbutus andrachne, greyish-brown, flaking in small pieces.  

The relatively slow growing strawberry tree has a long lifespan and could be highly beneficial for wildlife not only as a source of nectar and nutritious fruits but also as a dense evergreen for shelter. This is a highly versatile and useful species for the changing climate, that grows on any well drained soil, even in high rainfall areas. Arbutus unedo is tolearant of pollution, heat, drought, strong winds and salt spray on coastal locations. It has an underground organ, called a lignotuber, which enables it to resprout from ground level after a case of fire or severly cold weather. It is suitable for smaller to larger gardens, public parks, urban plantings and edible gardens.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees solitary shrubs

Use

Location

park in containers roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones coastal area

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

food forest prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

10 - 12 m

Width

6 - 8 m

Winter hardiness zone

7B - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Arbutus unedo? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

Magnify
shrub solitary shrubs
Arbutus unedo solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Arbutus unedo solitary shrubs
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
flowers flowers
Arbutus unedo flowers
fruits fruits
Arbutus unedo fruits
leaves leaves
Arbutus unedo leaves
leaves leaves
Arbutus unedo leaves
fruits fruits
Arbutus unedo fruits
fruits fruits
Arbutus unedo fruits
fruits fruits
Arbutus unedo fruits
bark bark
Arbutus unedo bark
bark bark
Arbutus unedo bark
twigs twigs
Arbutus unedo twigs
twigs twigs
Arbutus unedo twigs

Flowers

Flowers

raceme bell-shaped discrete pendulous small

Flower colour

white white-pink pink

Flowering period

October - December

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

evergreen ovoid lanceolate thick leathery polished serrate

Fruits

Fruit colour

orange-red

Fruits

striking large plum

Bark

Bark colour

cinnamon-brown dark brown

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

shallow fine roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
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Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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