Strawberry tree, or strawberry, arbutus (Arbutus) is an evergreen plant belonging to the heather family. It can grow as a tree or shrub. More than 20 species are known, growing in the Mediterranean and North America. Some species grow in the Crimea and Transcaucasia.
The strawberry tree is one of the most beautiful trees on the planet. No wonder it is planted on the central alleys of parks in cities with an appropriate climate. Strawberries are decorative in any period of the year. The height of the trees varies from 5 to 10 m, the branches are intricately curved. The leaves of this plant are serrated, whole, large, leathery, deep green.
The large-fruited strawberry blooms at an unusual time - in the fall. Flowering is stretched, i.e. at the same time, flowers and fruits of various stages of ripening grow on the tree. Young fruits are green, ripening, they turn yellow, and then turn red. In the Mediterranean countries it bears fruit almost continuously, except for a short hot period.
Flowers are medium-sized, located in apical panicles, milky whitecolors that require pollination. The structure of the flowers is unusual, in some ways they resemble houses with transparent windows. An insect that has landed on a flower climbs inside the “house”, and in order to get out, it has to climb inside the flower. As a result of these movements, a sufficient amount of pollen is collected on its legs, which it transfers to other flowers.
The strawberry tree is interesting because it is able to clean itself. The bark of the plant is renewed annually. In summer, last year's bark, which has a reddish-brown color, is first covered with cracks and then peels off. During this period, the strawberry looks very original - the trunk is all in brown curls. In those places where the old bark has already peeled off, the trunk is pistachio green. And since the old bark is not replaced at the same time, a strawberry tree looks unusual for a certain part of the year. The photo shows this process well.
The color of the trunk is gradually changing. By the next summer, it turns reddish-brown again and everything starts again. When dropping the bark, a crack comes from the arbutus. For this property, trees in America are called whisperers, and in Crimea - shameless.
The strawberry tree got its name from the similarity of fruits with strawberries. In fact, the strawberry fruit is a multi-seeded berry-like drupe. Pink-red balls taste sweetish. They can be used to make wine, jams, preserves, liqueurs and desserts. In fresh form, you can only use the fruits of large-fruited strawberries.
Arbutus almostnot affected by diseases and pests. Strawberry diseases have nothing to do with strawberries. They are related only by a consonant name.
The wood of this tree can be used to make furniture, various crafts. The leaves also found a use - they are used for tanning leather. The plant is honey-bearing, undemanding to the soil. Propagated by seeds, and if necessary, top cuttings can be rooted. Arbutus can also be grown as an indoor or greenhouse plant.
