Pacific Madrone

Description:

Arbutus menziesii (Pacific madrona, or madrone) is also known as the madroño, madroña, bearberry, or refrigerator tree. Arbutus menziesii is a species of tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the western coastal areas of North America, from British Columbia to California. It is an evergreen tree with rich orange-red bark that when mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a satin sheen and smoothness. The exposed wood sometimes feels cool to the touch. In spring, it bears sprays of small bell-like flowers, and in autumn, red berries. The berries dry up and have hooked barbs that latch onto larger animals for migration. It is common to see madronas of about 10–25 meters in height, but with the right conditions trees may reach up to 30 m. In ideal conditions madronas can also reach a thickness of 5–8 feet at the trunk, much like an oak tree. Leaves are thick with a waxy texture, oval, 7–15 cm long and 4–8 cm broad, arranged spirally; they are glossy dark green above and a lighter, more grayish green beneath, with an entire margin.

Habitat:

Madronas are native to the western coast of North America, from British Columbia (chiefly Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands) to California.