Sunday, November 18, 2012

Arbutus unedo and a sea of red marbles...

I’ve mentioned this Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) growing at the park near us before, I love this tree. It’s especially wonderful to walk by on a grey rainy day such as this. How often do you come upon a tree with a sea of red marbles underneath?

Not often enough.

And it never ceases to thrill me that you get the fruit and flowers at the same time. And in so many different colors!

Because this tree is right at the edge of the park, not really in the park and not really in anyone’s garden, I like to pretend it’s mine. Ah come on…you do that too, right?

32 comments:

  1. Wow! I didn't realize that it would produce both berries and flowers at the same time. I just planted one in the gravel garden last spring. Right now it's flowering like crazy, but no fruit. Maybe next year.

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    1. Pretty cool huh? Yes, next year...can't wait to see pictures!

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  2. I've been enjoying them around the area, but I haven't seen one with such a bounty of fruit as this one! I want to like them more: they're in one of my favorite genus, but often look kind of - I don't know how to say it - kind of "cultivated" maybe. This particular mature tree is a lot nicer than most!

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    1. This tree us usually pretty heavy with fruit, and since nobody has tended it for years it's been allowed to take on it's own natural shape. Although being on former school property it probably had a pretty good beginning.

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  3. The strawberry tree in my yard is a big draw for hummingbirds, especially a pair of Anna's hummingbirds that have decided to stick around Seattle for the winter rather than migrating.

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    1. How nice of you to provide them with their own tree!

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  4. That is cool. I tried one here (in Washington DC)about 20 years ago and it didn't survive. It's warmer now; I'm going to take another shot at it!

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    1. "It's warmer now"...so there are a few benefits to climate change.

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  5. That's a pretty tree and those bright red fruits would brighten my day too.

    We get tired of clouds when they last more than a day but then I remember our years in New England where the cloudy weather went on for months.

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    1. I heard a joke on the radio the other day, I forget how it went but the punch line was something about "50 Shades of Grey" actually being a book about Portland.

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  6. Great one! Arbutus Unedo is a fantastic plant that I wish EVERYONE in the pnw considered planting. They always look so darn happy! And you're right, that sea of red marbles is a sight to behold! They seem to tolerate our cold wet weather really well too. In fact, some of the arbutus unedo look better than native arbutus menziessii. Although there seems to be something plaguing native arbutus around the PNW at the moment. I think it might have to do with our back to back to back cold wet spring weather.

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    1. I hadn't realized there was an issue with Arbutus menziesii, that's not good! Makes me want to go check up on a couple beautiful ones I know of not too far away.

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  7. That sea of red marbles actually looks delicious, looking more like succulent cherries and raspberries rather than strawberries. And unique autumn colour too!

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    1. I have always wondered why the name "strawberry tree" stuck. You're right they look a lot more like cherries or raspberries.

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  8. The fruits are similar to what we get on our Cornus kousa 'China Girl'. I have always gathered them to tie onto packages. Are the Arbutus fruits edible?

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    1. Yes, they are quite similar!

      I would have said no, I didn't think they were but evidently they are "the fruit is edible but has minimal flavour and is not widely eaten" (from Wikipedia which I don't hold in that high of regard but the Outlaw agrees)

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  9. I've heard that Arbutus fruits are edible. My squirrels sure like them and eat most of mine before they've had a chance to fall. This is a beautiful plant & I love the red marbles beneath your tree.

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    1. Well I wonder why the squirrels aren't all over these fruit? We certainly have plenty in the neighborhood.

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    2. The squirrels obviously fear your dangerousness and know that I'm a softy!

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    3. Or maybe their just stuffed to the gills (ya, cuz squirrels have gills) on hazelnuts. There are several trees in the neighborhood (and one that leans into my backyard) and those little critter just go crazy over the hazelnuts!

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    4. Yes. The berries on arbutus unedo ("strawberry tree") are edible! We have tons of them growing in the parks around Seattle right now. However, I don't think that most people know they are edible. So, there's tons for the picking! I would have to agree with the quote above from Wikipedia. Their flavor is "minimal" and they are "not widely eaten." I would recommend eating them when they are completely dark red in color and so soft that they would easily squish in your hand if you picked them too vigorously.

      I've been throwing them into smoothies to add a little extra flavor and antioxidants. The ones I don't use I freeze and save for a rainy day. :) Have fun!

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  10. There are a couple planted at the intersection of 39th, Sandy, and Broadway....I just noticed them yesterday. Saw the fruit which is what caught my eye.

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    1. Uhm...I just drove through there a couple of house ago but didn't spot them. Must have been because the wind and the rain had it looking like 5pm instead of 11am.

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  11. Lovely mature specimen! My neighbor's Arbutuses (Arbuti?) hang over my wall and I get to enjoy them without having to water them. Seems like such a scam. :)

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  12. I have 'Compacta', but no sea of red marbles, yet. Did you know they make a liquor of it in parts of the Mediterranean? Having eaten them once or twice, I can see why alcohol is needed as an enticement.

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  13. It's edible and delicious. Can't stop eating them since it's arbutus season now.

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  14. Trees are slow growing, and messy. As far as the fruit, yes edible but don't taste great (only my opinion). Having said all that, I love these trees. Hands down, one of my favorite. So much, I have planted 2! Finding a lush broad-leaf evergreen that does well in my area (high desert so. California) is like the holy grail. And then to find something out of the ordinary? Forget it. I love the deep green leaves contrasting the reddish bark. And the bright cheery fruit that forms in winter? Gorgeous tree. I fell in love with this tree when I discovered the largest specimen I have personally ever seen in an old cemetary across the street from where i used to work. This one as you stated was "my tree" as I would go have lunch under it many times a week. Large old tree with twisty limbs and a trunk you couldn't put your arms around. I knew I had to hunt one down. Every winter, this tree would fruit HEAVILY! Pavement was stained year'round from the fruit. So how do I combat this? I planted them in my chicken run! Gives my flock shade in the hot summers, and in the winter, they get fresh fruit! I let them cleanup and they pay back with rich dark yolk eggs. Gorgeous and useful, this tree is hands down one of my top 5 all time fav's!

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    1. Thank you for commenting and sharing your story Shandon, I bet that old tree was (is) a beauty. Sadly "mine" is gone. I believe the school district (they own the empty land it sits on) cut it down. It broke my heart.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 09, 2016

    Does everyone knows where can I find it in Japan?

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