Location: Southeast corner of the Aerospace and Engineering Research Building.

Summary: Here we arrive at a specimen with a unique trait amongst the broadleaf trees of Washington. While most of the broadleaf trees of our region are deciduous in nature, losing their leaves each fall, the Pacific Madrone (sometimes called the Madrona) is an exception to the rule. Its smooth waxy leaves retain their evergreen splendor year-round! The most magnificent feature of these trees is their bark, a flaky deep red-orange to gray outer layer which peels away to reveal smooth green and tan beneath, a marvelous patchwork of colors glowing like flame amongst otherwise green forests. Showing off even more, bell-shaped white flowers in dense clusters appear in spring. These turn to many small red berries by summers end. The twisting branches have a sculptural quality to them, and when combined with the color of the bark the tree really is nature’s own work of art.

This lovely species has an immense latitudinal range, from British Columbia all the way to southern California. Here in the northern portion of their range, Pacific Madrones are most commonly seen in coastal areas on the rocky periphery of forests composed of larger trees, although it may also be found occupying rocky sites further inland where it is not in danger of being outcompeted and over-shaded. The berries of the species are primarily distributed by birds, some species of which have been known to consume this delicacy to the point of being grounded by the weight of an overstuffed stomach. Some First Nations within the Pacific Northwest likewise traditionally utilize the berries as a source of food, and at least one nation, the Karok of the Klamath River, have found the berries are an effective bait for steelhead fishing.

Although the Madrone is tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions, it is being highly affected by human development in the Puget Sound region. Trees suffer from damage to roots and stems during construction, and from the use of herbicides. The beauty of this tree makes it a marvelous addition to our cities and gardens, but we must learn to understand trees like this and care for them if we want to enjoy their company.

Historical Background: British botanist Archibald Menzies called the species ‘Arbutus’ after the latin word for strawberry tree. West Coast tribes ate the berries and used the roots to create eating utensils. Communities along the Klamath River used the berries as bait for fishing. For the Saanich people, the Pacific madrone was used to anchor canoes to the top of Mount Newton during the Great Flood. 

Native

Native Range: Pacific Northwest to Southern California

Identifying Features: The Pacific Madrone is evergreen but is not coniferous in nature. It produces broad oval alternate evergreen leaves of a dark shiny green on top and lighter white-green below. Flowers on this species appear in spring in clusters and are white and urn shaped and immensely fragrant. The fruit which appears later in summer are round orange-red berries with a granular surface. The most distinctive feature of this species is its magnificent bark, which is a smooth glossy chartreuse when young but matures into a dark rich brownish red which peels off exposing the younger bark beneath.

Identifying Features In Depth:

1. Form: Generally small to medium sized tree (although some individuals can achieve great height and girth to 100” (30m)). Low apical control in open areas but higher apical control in densely wooded places, thick foliage where present but generally very open.

2. Leaves: Evergreen and oval, dark shiny green above, whitish green below, leathery and generally untoothed except on youngest growth, alternate growing pattern.

3. Bark: Beautiful smooth and glossy and tan to chartreuse in color on young bark, peeling as a rich dark red brown with age exposing patches of younger bark beneath.

4. Reproductive Bodies: Fragrant urn shaped flowers grow in large drooping clusters and give way to red-orange round berries with granular surfaces also in tight clusters.