Arbutus menziesii
Pacific Madrone
Description
One of the most attractive of all California broadleafs, Arbutus menziesii, or Pacific Madrone, has a smooth trunk with lovely, peeling red bark highlighted by shiny green, oval, toothed foliage and showy white spring flowers followed by red berries. This tree can reach 50' tall but looks more like a large shrub in inland valley areas. It prefers acid, well draining soil and afternoon shade. It does well under oak trees. Make sure you mulch this tree.