Everything about The Pacific Madrone totally explained
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's 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 broadleaf 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. The berries dry up and have hooked barbs that latch onto larger animals for migration. It is common to see madrones of about 10-25 meters in height, but in the right conditions the trees reach up to 30 m. In best conditions madrones can also reach a thickness of 5-8 feet at its trunk, much like an
oak tree. The leaves are thick, oval, 7-15 cm long and 4-8 cm broad, and arranged spirally; they're glossy dark green above and a lighter, more grayish green beneath, with an entire margin. The leaves brown during the fall season and detach from the branches.
Native American people ate the berries, but because they've 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 isn't 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. Mostly the wood is sought for its heating capabilities since it burns long and hot in fireplaces.
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're 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 wasn't 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.
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.
Image:PacificMadronaBark.jpg|Closeup of the red papery bark of the Pacific Madrone.
Image:PacificMadronaGrove.jpg|A large grove of Pacific Madrone in Anacortes, Washington.
Image:Madrone_bark.jpg|Madrone bark is always unique. This slender trunk was photographed on Blakely Island, Washington.
Image:Arbutus_sandstone.JPG|Gabriola Island, British Columbia
Image:Image-Pacific Madrone Arbutus menziesii Branch Fork 2120px.jpg|A branch fork showing the peeling bark. The tree was photographed on Orcas Island, Washington.
Image:ArbutusHeal.jpg|Healed Arbutus limb. (Lighthouse Park) West Vancouver, British Columbia.
Further Information
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