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Summary

Arizona madrone is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the mountains of southern Arizona and New Mexico, reaching up to 15 meters tall. Its smooth, flaky red-brown bark and leathery lance-shaped leaves give it an elegant appearance. The fruits are reddish-orange to bright red, with bumpy skins and soft, white interiors.

Physical Characteristics

Arbutus arizonica is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

The berries are edible fresh, though overconsumption may cause nausea or vomiting. Ripe fruits are pleasantly sweet with a bland aftertaste, containing about half flesh and half delicately crunchy seeds. Unlike manzanita, the seeds are soft and do not require removal, making them easy to process. Berries can be dried for flour or used to make cider, wine, or jelly. Unripe green fruits taste awful and should be avoided. Timing is crucial—fruits mature from July to October and often fall soon after ripening, sometimes littering the ground in a vibrant red carpet[2-3]. Fruit - raw. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter with a thin sweetish flesh[82].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Astringent

The bitter principles in the bark and leaves can be used as an astringent[229].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal Wood

Wood - heavy, soft, close-grained, brittle[82]. It produces a fine grade of charcoal[229]. The fruits can be fermented or dried into a storable food. The tree’s red bark and evergreen foliage make it highly ornamental. Its fruit and flowers provide resources for wildlife, and traditional uses include making drinks such as cider.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[82]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[166, 200]. A slow-growing tree[229].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[78]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[134]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[184], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K]. Basal cuttings in late winter[200]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[78]. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[1, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Arizona Madrone (Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg.)

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (southwest), Arizona (southeast)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Sonora, Zacatecas, Jalisco)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

None. Restricted to natural habitats; not invasive.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Arbutus andrachne	Grecian StrawberryTree	Tree	6.0	7-10	S	LM	N	DM	3	0	3
Arbutus canariensis	Canary Madrona	Tree	10.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Arbutus menziesii	Madrona, Pacific madrone, Pacific Madrone	Tree	15.0	8-9	M	LM	SN	DM	3	2	2
Arbutus texana	Texas Madrone	Tree	8.0	7-10	S	LM	SN	DM	2	1	2
Arbutus unedo	Strawberry Tree	Tree	9.0	7-11	M	LM	SN	DM	4	2	2
Arbutus x andrachnoides		Tree	10.0	7-10	M	LMH	SN	M	4	0
Arbutus xalapensis	Madrono, Texas madrone	Tree	12.0	7-10	S	LM	SN	DM	3	0	2
Epigaea repens	Mayflower, Trailing arbutus, Ground Laurel	Shrub	0.1	3-8		LM	S	M	2	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Arbutus arizonica - (A.Gray.)Sarg.