Arbutus menziesii aka Pacific Madrone

Arbutus menziesii is an evergreen tree called Pacific madrone or madrona. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. Its native range follows North America's west coast. It extends from British Columbia to northern Baja California. Wild trees grow on rocky slopes, coastal bluffs, and open woods. Garden trees reach about 20–65 feet [6–19.8 metres] tall. Their crowns spread 10–50 feet [3–15.2 metres] wide. Some wild trees exceed 100 feet [30.5 metres].

The tree can have one curved trunk or several stems. Its crown holds twisting branches and thick, oval leaves. The leaves grow alternately and have smooth edges. Their upper sides shine dark green; their undersides look pale. Copper-brown bark sheds in thin sheets as the tree grows. This exposes smooth bark in green, orange, or red tones. Older bark deepens to red-brown. The tree can sprout from its base after stem damage.

Small white flowers form upright clusters in spring. Missouri Botanical Garden gives April to May as bloom time. RHS reports early summer flowering in UK conditions. Each flower has a bell or urn shape. Bees and hummingbirds help pollinate the flowers. Small berries turn orange-red or red as they ripen. They contain many seeds and may last into winter. Birds visit the tree, which suits gardens planned for wildlife.

Give madrone sun or partial shade and soil that drains well. Acid soil suits it, though RHS lists a wider pH range. It grows in clay, loam, or sand with good drainage. Established trees need little water or feed and tolerate dry soil. Wet ground can lead to root trouble. Afternoon shade helps in hot, dry sites. Plant young trees, since moving them can damage their roots. Growth is moderate, but young trees may take time to settle. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 7–9; RHS gives H4. Use it as a specimen or for year-round structure. Its roots also help hold soil on slopes.

Fallen bark, leaves, and fruit can litter paths and patios. Keep pruning light, as RHS advises. Aphids, leaf miners, and fall webworms can attack it. Diseases include cankers, leaf spots, rusts, and root rot. Sources also report sudden oak death and honey fungus. Indigenous peoples ate the fruit fresh, cooked, or dried. They also used its bark as medicine and its wood for tools. PFAF rates ripe fruit as edible but warns that large amounts may cause nausea. RHS warns against eating the ornamental fruit and flags risks to people and pets.