Strawberry tree, Killarney strawberry tree, Irish strawberry tree, Cane apple

Arbutus unedo is commonly referred to as the Strawberry tree due to the strawberry-like fruits it produces in the autumn. However, don’t be fooled—they do not taste good!

This attractive evergreen tree has young shoots that are tinged red and harden to dark green. The small white, bell-shaped flowers appear in small clusters and are produced together with the red fruit in the autumn, providing a contrasting display.

As this tree matures, the brown bark sheds, giving it a peeling, ragged appearance. The late flowering of this tree makes it useful for иees in honey production, and the fruit is also tasty for birds. The fruit can be used to produce jams, beverages, and liquors for human consumption; however, it is not advisable to eat it raw.

It is a popular garden tree that was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2002 and a First Class Certificate in 1933!

Arbutus unedo will tolerate most soil conditions, preferring moist, well-drained soil and unusually for an ericaceous plant, it does tolerate lime. The tough evergreen leaves help to make this tree a good choice for exposed and coastal sites.

This tree produces an oval-headed specimen at maturity and can be useful as a screening tree. It is also a good choice in gardens where management is required to limit size and spread as it will tolerate hard pruning in late March/April (after the last frost), very vigorously growing back to its former glory.

Mature height: 3-7m

Common names

Strawberry tree, Killarney strawberry tree, Irish strawberry tree, Cane apple

Height of tree

3-7m

Tree type

Evergreen

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Oval

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Good for bees, Award

Looks good in

Autumn

Location

Garden

Genus

Arbutus