1. *Madrone – Arbutus menziesii (ar-BYOO-tus menz-ESS-ee-eye )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: West Coast of N. America from British Columbia to Baja. Locally in the San Gabriels; dry
foothills, wooded slopes and canyons in oak, redwood, mixed evergreen forests and chaparral at
elevations from 300 to 4,000 feet (in California).
Growth characteristics: woody tree mature height: 50-100+ ft. mature width: 25-50 ft.
Majestic large woody evergreen tree, must often with several trunks. Crown is broad and spreading
with large, heavy branches. Mature bark is shed, exposing new red bark. Leaves leathery, glossy
green on top and lighter below, simple 3-5 inches. A very handsome tree.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, March-May depending on weather. Flowers small, white and urn-
shaped (like manzanita) in large terminal clusters. Very showy in bloom. Fruits are pea-size,
orange to red-brown, bumpy and quite showy. Fruits are edible if cooked or dried – can be used to
make a cider-like beverage, or for distinctive jellies or syrups.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an ornamental shade tree (throughout the world). Very
dramatic looking – but a bit messy. Does well on slopes and is good for erosion control. Many parts
of the plant were used medicinally by Native Californians.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native trees.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides cover, nest sites and fruits for birds. Dark-eyed junco,
fox sparrow, robin, cedar waxwing, band-tailed pigeon, quail and mammals love the fruit. Mature
trees provide homes for secondary cavity nesters such as the acorn woodpecker, downy
woodpecker, mountain chickadee, house wren, and western bluebird. Bees are pollinators.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade (when young) to full sun.
Soil Most local soils, from sandy to clay, if well-draiined; best in pH < 7.5
Water Needs adequate winter/spring rain; mature trees drought tolerant (Water Zone 1-2)
Fertilizer None needed
Other Bark mulch is fine.
Management: Plant in summer-dry area when small. Don’t splash water on trunk or leaves –
susceptible to fungal disease. Prune in summer only as needed. Susceptible to insect pests.
Propagation: from seed: cold-moist treat 2 months; difficult by cuttings: ? hardwood; sem-soft
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11, 13, 14, 24, 32 3/31/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND