Arbutus menziesii

Arbutus menziesii is an evergreen tree about in height, but in the right conditions up to . The trunk is usually about thick. The thin bark is a rich orange-red, and when mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a smooth satin sheen. Older trunks are gray-brown near the base. the stain lasts until the leaves naturally detach at the end of their lifespan. In spring, the tree bears sprays of small white to pink bell-like flowers, and in autumn, red berries. File:Arbutus Tree (7743626674).jpg|Tree File:Arbutus menziesii-5.jpg|Leaves File:Pacific Madrone Arbutus menziesii Branch Fork 2120px.jpg|The peeling red papery bark is distinctive File:J20160303-0173—Arbutus menziesii—RPBG (25570280215).jpg|In spring, it bears sprays of small, white, bell-shaped flowers. File:Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Jacksonville Woods.jpg|Fruit of Arbutus menziesii File:Arbutus menziesii 135-8249.jpg|Arbutus menziesii from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, vol. 135 1909 == Common names ==

It is nicknamed the "refrigerator tree" because its bark contains water, and it stays cool in the summer. In Canada, it is simply referred to as arbutus. It is known in the United States as the madrona, madrone, madroño, madroña, or bearberry. The name strawberry tree (A. unedo) may also be found in relation to A. menziesii (though it has no relation to the strawberry fruit). According to the Sunset Western Garden Book, in the United States, the name "madrone" is more common south of the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and Northern California and the name "madrona" is more common north of the Siskiyous. The Concow tribe calls the tree ''dis-tā'-tsi (Konkow language) or kou-wät′-chu''. Its species name was given it in honor of the Scottish naturalist Archibald Menzies, who noted it during George Vancouver's voyage of exploration. == Distribution and habitat ==

Madrones are native to the western coast of North America, from British Columbia (chiefly Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands) to California. They are mainly found in Puget Sound, the Oregon Coast Range, and the California Coast Ranges, but are also scattered on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. presumably survivors from the last glacial age. Here, populations are found on Santa Cruz Island, the San Gabriel Mountains, and south to the Santa Ana Mountains, the Agua Tibia Mountains and Palomar Mountain. The southernmost population is located on Roderick Mountain overlooking the canyon of the San Luis Rey River in San Diego County, where several hundred are found. George Bishop Sudworth reported a few shrubby individuals of Pacific madrone from the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Tuñas Canyon, but others point out that there are no recorded specimens collected that far south, However, other Arbutus species are endemic to the area. It fares well in dry and rocky sites, is tolerant of salt water, but fairly intolerant of shade. ==Ecology==

The tree can be found growing along with Douglas-fir. including juncos, American robins, cedar waxwings, band-tailed pigeons, varied thrushes, quail, mule deer, raccoons, ring-tailed cats, and bears. As the fruit are produced in great quantity and may persist on the tree into winter, their value as a food source is great. Mule deer will also eat the young shoots when the trees are regenerating after fire. The flowers also produce nectar which can be made into honey. Mature leaves are almost always ignored by browsing animals, but young leafy sprouts are eaten by ungulates and the dusky-footed woodrat. It is considered a high-importance winter forage species for many ungulates. It is important as a nest site for many birds, Thinning stands, soil loss and compaction, and a host of other impacts increase susceptibility to disease, especially on less dense stands. == Conservation ==

Although drought tolerant and relatively fast growing, A. menziesii is currently declining throughout most of its range. One likely cause is fire control; under natural conditions, the madrona depends on intermittent naturally occurring fires to reduce the conifer overstory. The fire was caused by an illegal campfire. == Cultivation ==

The trees are 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 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). In its native range, a tree needs no extra water or food once it has become established. == Uses ==

The berries are considered unpalatable and may be harmful if consumed by people or pets. According to legend, Native Americans ate the berries raw and cooked, but because the berries have a high tannin content and are thus astringent, they more often chewed them or made them into a cider. Overeating causes cramps. Early Californian settlers may have used charcoal from the species to make gunpowder. An attractive veneer can also be made from the wood. However, because large pieces of madrona lumber warp severely and unpredictably during the drying process, they are not used much. since it is a very hard and dense wood that burns long and hot, surpassing even oak in this regard. The W̱SÁNEĆ people of British Columbia have a prohibition against burning arbutus due to its salvific role in their creation myths; an arbutus anchored their canoes to the world during the deluge. == Gallery ==

File:MadroneLignotuber.jpg|Arbutus menziesii lignotuber near ground level provides fire-resistant storage of energy and sprouting buds if fire damage requires replacement of the trunk or limbs. File:Arbutus menziesii (Madrone) - Flickr - brewbooks (1).jpg| Tree growing in snow at Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, British Columbia File:Arbutus menziesii 4747.JPG|Trees growing with Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii in Anacortes, Washington File:Arbutus menziesii 3208s.JPG|Mature trees at Deception Pass State Park File:Arbutus menziesii Big Basin 1.jpg| Mature tree at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California ==References==