Arbutus arizonica
| Arbutus arizonica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Arbutus arizonica (common name: arizona maderone)
Propagation: Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[1]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[2]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[2]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[3], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K].
Basal cuttings in late winter[4].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[1].
Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[5][4].
Cultivation: Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[4]. Succeeds in dry soils[6].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7][4].
A slow-growing tree[8].
Range: South-western N. America - S. Arizona to New Mexico.
Habitat: Dry gravelly benches, 1800 - 2400 metres[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter with a thin sweetish flesh[6].
Medicinal: The bitter principles in the bark and leaves can be used as an astringent[8].
Usage: Wood - heavy, soft, close-grained, brittle[6]. It produces a fine grade of charcoal[8].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.