Arbutus menziesii (Pacific Madrone)
Pacific Madrone is the largest member of the vast Ericaceae family, sometimes reaching 100 ft tall; usually 30 to 75 ft. It is our only PNW native broadleaved evergreen tree. In Washington, Madrones are most often found on dry, sunny sites, often on coastal bluffs with fast-draining soils and a southern or western exposure, where their deep tap root binds many layers of soil and helps prevent surface erosion.
Many people love their attractive peeling bark, glossy evergreen leaves, and showy flowers and fruit. They grow best when left undisturbed without pruning or regular irrigation. The species produces sweet smelling flowers around May that attract many hummingbirds and bees- and they often produce a second crop of flowers and fruit in the late summer/early fall.
It is an important species for birds and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Fall-ripening berries last until December (and occasionally beyond). These big red fruits are a favorite food for many bird species in the region, including band-tailed pigeons, quails, robins and thrushes. Deer also enjoy the fruits, and occasionally will nip at the freshly emerging leaves, so young trees may need to be caged to prevent deer browse until they’re large enough to be resilient.
Pacific Madrone is the largest member of the vast Ericaceae family, sometimes reaching 100 ft tall; usually 30 to 75 ft. It is our only PNW native broadleaved evergreen tree. In Washington, Madrones are most often found on dry, sunny sites, often on coastal bluffs with fast-draining soils and a southern or western exposure, where their deep tap root binds many layers of soil and helps prevent surface erosion.
Many people love their attractive peeling bark, glossy evergreen leaves, and showy flowers and fruit. They grow best when left undisturbed without pruning or regular irrigation. The species produces sweet smelling flowers around May that attract many hummingbirds and bees- and they often produce a second crop of flowers and fruit in the late summer/early fall.
It is an important species for birds and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Fall-ripening berries last until December (and occasionally beyond). These big red fruits are a favorite food for many bird species in the region, including band-tailed pigeons, quails, robins and thrushes. Deer also enjoy the fruits, and occasionally will nip at the freshly emerging leaves, so young trees may need to be caged to prevent deer browse until they’re large enough to be resilient.
Pacific Madrone is the largest member of the vast Ericaceae family, sometimes reaching 100 ft tall; usually 30 to 75 ft. It is our only PNW native broadleaved evergreen tree. In Washington, Madrones are most often found on dry, sunny sites, often on coastal bluffs with fast-draining soils and a southern or western exposure, where their deep tap root binds many layers of soil and helps prevent surface erosion.
Many people love their attractive peeling bark, glossy evergreen leaves, and showy flowers and fruit. They grow best when left undisturbed without pruning or regular irrigation. The species produces sweet smelling flowers around May that attract many hummingbirds and bees- and they often produce a second crop of flowers and fruit in the late summer/early fall.
It is an important species for birds and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Fall-ripening berries last until December (and occasionally beyond). These big red fruits are a favorite food for many bird species in the region, including band-tailed pigeons, quails, robins and thrushes. Deer also enjoy the fruits, and occasionally will nip at the freshly emerging leaves, so young trees may need to be caged to prevent deer browse until they’re large enough to be resilient.