Strawberry Tree - Tree

Ensure that the Arbutus unedo root ball is soaked well before planting – by placing it in a bucket of lukewarm water. Choose a position where the Strawberry tree will have plenty of space. Dig a wide planting hole and loosen the soil with a fork. Place the Arbutus unedo root ball at the correct depth in the hole – the top of the root ball should be just below ground level. Refill the hole with soil and press down firmly. Water your tree immediately after planting. Arbutus unedo thrives in most soils – improve poor soil with well rotted compost and a few fertiliser granules. This tree prefers a spot in full sun or partial shade. Protect the young shrub from severe frost until it becomes established when it will become very hardy (up to -20°C).

The Arbutus unedo needs moisture retaining, not too rich, soil. This shrub thrives best in a sunny spot. Prune only when necessary unless you intend to grow it as a tree rather than a bush then you select one stem which will become the main trunk. Young plants especially, need protection from wind.

The tree's name tells a story about the plant and the fruit flavour: 'Ar' is Celtic for 'rugged', 'butus' is 'bush'! A rugged bush, or perhaps a bush from a rugged country! 'Unedo' indicates ‘I only eat once’. They are not poisonous but rather tart and sour. Therefore you may not want to eat a second one!

The Arbutus unedo (Irish Strawberry tree) is a genus of the Ericaceae family (Heather varieties). They grow in the Mediterranean and all the way over to Western Ireland and also in North America. It is an evergreen tree / large shrub that can grow to up to 15 metres tall, depending on the climate. While other plants and trees prepare themselves for the winter, the Strawberry tree is in bloom and bearing fruit! A lovely addition to any garden, the Strawberry tree is winter hardy up to -20 °C.

The 2.5 cm strawberry like fruits are indeed edible but the flavour depends on the climate, they taste rather sour becoming sweeter with more sun. In Southern Europe the fruit is used in the preparation of various wines and liqueurs and sometimes is used in jam making. In the Algarve in Portugal, they use the fruits for distilling Medronho. This is a beverage with really high alcohol content: 45-60 % and even higher! Some countries in Europe can the fruit for selling.