Harilik maasikapuu Arbutus unedo
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.

Potting of arbutus

These plants should be planted while they are still small, in October or April. Arbutus andrachnoides does better in maritime climates and Arbutus menziesii should be planted in acidic soil. Some pruning may be required to keep the plants looking neat.

Propagation of arbutus

Seeds may be sown in pots of sandy peat, in February, in a greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 50 F. The lower branches may be layered in the winter or early spring and left undisturbed until the following year. Special varieties may be grafted in a heated greenhouse, in March, on stocks of their particular types.

Eng.: Killarney strawberry tree, strawberry tree, cane apples, Mediterrannean strawberry tree. Suom.: Lännenmansikkapuu. Sven.: Smultronträd.