Pacific Madrone

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iPacific Madrone

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Arbutus
Species:	A. menziesii

Binomial name

Arbutus menziesii
Pursh

The Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), is a species of arbutus found on the west coast of North America, from British Columbia (chiefly Vancouver Island) to California, mainly in the Pacific Coast Ranges but also scattered on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It becomes rare south of Santa Barbara County, with isolated stands south to Palomar Mountain, San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico. It is also known as the madroño, madroña, bearberry, or strawberry tree. In British Columbia it is simply referred to as arbutus. Its species name was given it in honour of the Scots naturalist Archibald Menzies who noted it during George Vancouver's voyage of exploration.

It is a beautiful evergreen tree, with rich orange-red bark that peels away on the mature wood, 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. It is common to see madrones of about 10 m in height, but in the right conditions the trees reach up to 30 m. The leaves are thick, oval, 7-15 cm long and 4-8 cm broad, and arranged spirally; they are glossy dark green above and a lighter, more grayish green beneath, with an entire margin.

Mature Pacific Madrone, Sonoma County; tree about 25 m tall

Native American people ate the berries, but because they have a high tannin content and are correspondingly astringent, they more often either chewed them or made them into a cider. Many mammal and bird species feed off the berries, including American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Band-tailed Pigeons, Varied Thrushes, Quail, Mule Deer, Raccoons, Ringtails, and Bears. Mule Deer will also eat the young shoots when the trees are regenerating after fire. It is also important as a nest site for many birds, and in mixed woodland it seems to be chosen for nestbuilding disproportionately to its numbers. The timber distorts during drying and is not much used, but an attractive veneer can be made from it. Recently, it has become more popular in the Pacific Northwest as a flooring material, due to the durability of the wood, and the warm color after finishing.

Although drought tolerant and relatively fast growing, the Pacific Madrone is currently declining throughout most of its range. One likely cause is fire control: under natural conditions, the madrone depends on intermittent naturally occurring fires to reduce the conifer overstory. Mature trees survive fire, and can regenerate more rapidly after fire than the Douglas firs with which they are often associated. They also produce very large numbers of seeds, which sprout following fire. Since the arrival of Europeans in North America, fire suppression has resulted in a reduction of the range of the Pacific Madrone.

Increasing development pressures in Pacific Madrone habitat have also contributed to a decline in the number of mature specimens. This tree is extremely sensitive to alteration of the grade or drainage near the root crown. Until about 1970, this phenomenon was not widely recognized on the west coast; thereafter, many local governments have addressed the necessary protection of Pacific madrone by stringent restrictions on grading and drainage alterations when madrone are present. The species is also affected to a small extent by sudden oak death, a disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum.

[edit] Cultivation

The Pacific Madrone is difficult to transplant and a seedling should be set in its permanent spot while still small. Transplant mortality becomes significant once a madrone is more than one foot (30 cm) tall. The site should be sunny (south or west-facing slopes are best), well drained, and lime-free (although occasionally a seedling will establish itself on a shell midden). Pacific Madrone needs no extra water or food in its native range once it has become established. Water and nitrogen fertilizer will boost its growth, but at the cost of making it much more susceptible to disease.