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Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Irish Caithne or Suglair (family - Ericaceae)

Description: Shrubby tree with laurel like evergreen leaves and warty red berry that looks like a strawberry. Height: 12m. Max age: not known.

Where found: In immature oak woods and developing woodland, rocky place. Native to South West Ireland especially near Killarney and in Mediterranean, believed to be relic from before last ice age.

Phenology:

Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
    Autumn Autumn  
(Fruit takes a year to ripen)

Similar species: Arbutus andrachne (Cyprus Strawberry Tree) and Arbutus menziescii (Pacific Madrone) have a similar appearance and fruit and have been planted as park trees and shrubs.

Uses past & present: Pink fine grained and very hard. Food and drink - The strawberry like berries are edible but with unpleasant flavour although birds like them and spread the seeds.

Propagation and growth: Grown from seed. Growth is slow at first and plants are tender.
Timber