Simone Levy Pacific Madrone menziesii th

Arbutus menziesii Family: Common Name: Pacific Madrone Native to the West Coast of from south to San Diego County One of the most widely distributed native to the Pacific Coast Named for its discoverer, Archibald Menzies, a 19 • • • • • Tree Characteristics

• Mature height is 20 to 100 ft. • The canopy is round and almost as wide as the tree is tall. • are more slender when growing in groves • Can grow in a variety of terrains from level flats to steep mountains. Bark

• has very unique and beautiful bark. • Smooth and reddish brown. • Peels away in thin flakes Leaves

• Leathery • 3 to 6 inches in length • Shiny, dark green on top • Dull gray- green underneath Flowers

• Large clusters • Individual flowers are small and bell- shaped • White to pinkish in color • Mid-march at lower elevations with warm temperatures, and mid-May at higher elevations • Flowering usually ends in June Fruit

• Clusters of berries 8 to 12 mm in diameter • Orange-red with rough skin and dry, mealy flesh • Berries appear after the flowers in early fall and last through the winter • Eaten by , rodents, deer, dd Pests and Diseases

• Insect pests are not a severe threat. They include , western tent caterpillar, aphids, and leaf miners • Root rot from cactonum infects the roots and the tree trunk – Infected bark turns darker inside the trunk • Bark injury causes cankers to develop – Cause dead, blackened branches and dead tree tops • Pathogenic fungi target leaves because they have a high concentration of simple sugars • Fungal pathogens can be reduced by providing proper conditions for the Management

• If not grown in native area, trees require fast- draining, and non- alkaline water • The pacific madrone has low water needs and is drought tolerant in its native range • Irrigate just enough to keep the going until it is established Bibliography

• Adams, David, and Kathleen Kosta. "Madrone Canker in ." Tree Notes. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Jan. 1993. Web. • Bennett, M., and D. Shaw. "Diseases and Insect Pests of Pacific Madrone." Forest Health Fact Sheet. May 2008. Web. • Brenzel, Kathleen Norris. Sunset Western Garden Book. Menlo Park, CA: Sunset Pub., 2007. Print. • Elliot, Marianne. "Diseases of Pacific Madrone." Web. • "Pacific Madrone." Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry - USDA