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Strawberry Tree - Arbutus sp.
General information: Most often seen as a multi-stemmed, rounded, evergreen
shrub or small tree reaching 8 to 15 feet in height with an equal
spread. Strawberry Tree is capable of reaching 20 to 25 feet
in height, and makes a very attractive specimen tree when pruned
to a short, single trunk. The trees take on a picturesque, somewhat
twisted appearance over time, and exhibit dark, red/brown, flaking
and shreddy bark accompanied by the lush, dark green, leathery,
red-stemmed leaves. Growth rate is slow so trees over 20 feet
tall are rare. Arbutus species are quite rare in bonsai use,
but they adapt well to pot culture. The strawberry tree is an
old European native, presumably brought by the Romans from the
Mediterranean to England, while the madrone is an American native.
Family:
Ericaceae
Lighting:
Part shade, part sun, full sun, although some afternoon shade
in midsummer may be necessary to prevent leaf scorch.
Temperature:
The tree is hardy in zones 8B through 11. The strawberry tree
should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing when used
for bonsai.
Watering:
Light to moderate, increasing during the heat of summer.
Feeding:
Every 20-30 days from early spring-midautumn, breaking for a
month in midsummer. Miracid is recommended.
Pruning and wiring:
Prune new shoots back to 2-3 leaves during growth. Prune above
a leaf facing in the direction you want new growth to extend.
The flexible branches make wiring easy, although the bark will
need to be protected. Wire from spring-autumn.
Propagation:
By seed. Needs three months cold treatment, then requires an
additional three months to germinate. I'm still waiting.
Repotting:
Arbutus prefers an acid soil (although unlike most ericaceous
plants, it can tolerate lime). 70-80% organic matter is recommended
in the soil mix, with only 20-30% inorganic mater such as sand,
grit or turface. However, a fast-draining soil is also preferred,
so To achieve proper aeration of the soil, bark might be a useful
soil component. Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. If the
root pruning is drastic, removing all the leaves is suggested.
Pest and diseases: There are no significant pests or diseases affecting
this species.
Some species suitable for bonsai:
- Arbutus menziesii: Pacific madrone - Unlike
the strawberry tree, the Pacific madrone is a giant, growing
upwards of 100 feet, with 2-6 inch leaves and 8 inch flower panicles.
Its new shoots are bright green, deepining to orange, and eventually
red as the bark thickens. The evergreen leaves are deep green
with blue-white undersides, and the tree has red berries.
- Arbutus menziesii 'Pursh'.
- Arbutus unedo: strawberry tree, Cain-apple,
Cane-apple - Its species name is taken from the Latin phrase
"unem edo," which translates "I eat only one."
Cane-apple is a misnoner; Cain-apple refers to a legend that
the berries were clots of Abel's blood. Despite the fact that
the berries look invitingly like strawberries, the fruit is inedibly
sour. Supposedly hardy in zones 7-10, but best kept at temperatures
above freezing. The strawberry tree is a small tree or bush,
depending on the area of growth.
Bibliography:
Gustafson's "Miniature Bonsai,"
Jahn (ed.) "The Simon and Schuster Guide to Bonsai,"
Coats' "Garden Shrubs and Their Histories."
Mitchell's "American Nature Guides: Trees".
USDA Fact Sheet ST-85
- Compiled by Sabrina Caine
Edited by Thomas L. Zane
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