Madrone Trees are evergreen trees in the Arbutus genus of the heather family (Ericaceae). Manzanitas belong to the same plant family. Madrone Way in Woodland is named for madrone trees, and Heather Lane and Heather Place are at least indirectly named after the plant family they belong to. There are 12 species in the genus Arbutus. One is native to Yolo County, though it is not native to Woodland. Additionally, one non-native species and one hybrid of multiple non-native species are sometimes planted by the City of Woodland.
Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) in the California State University Sacramento arboretum. Photo by queerbychoice.Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is an evergreen tree native to the Yolo County foothills, not including the Capay Hills. It grows 30 to 90 feet tall. As it ages, its dark red bark develops peeling areas that reveal a green bark underneath the surface bark. Its fruits are astringent and not particularly palatable. It prefers dry, shady, north-facing slopes with sharp drainage, and it cannot tolerate being watered in summer. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, and the tree is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers. Pacific Madrones are notoriously difficult to grow outside of their native range, but there is a Pacific Madrone planted at Joseph Schneider Park.
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) in Joseph Schneider Park. Photo by queerbychoice.Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the Mediterranean region, named for the visual resemblance of its fruit to strawberries, although it is not closely related to strawberries. Its fruit can be eaten fresh or made into jam or marmalade. It typically grows about 15 to 25 feet tall, occasionally up to 50 feet and has dark red bark that does not significantly peel off. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, and the tree is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers. It is planted in City Park, Joseph Schneider Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and the Legacy Tree Grove at Woodland Off-Leash Dog Park. It is also planted as a street tree on 4th Street, 5th Street, Clover Street, Elliot Street, and Elm Street.
Hybrid Strawberry Tree (Arbutus 'Marina') is an evergreen shrub or small tree believed to be the result of a cross between the Greek Strawberry Tree (Arbutus andrachne) and the common Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). It typically grows about 15 to 25 feet tall but tends not to produce much fruit. As it ages, its dark red bark develops peeling areas that reveal an orange bark underneath the surface bark. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, and the tree is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers. It is planted as a street tree on Bush Street and on College Street.
