Canary Island Strawberry Tree

Canary Island Strawberry Tree (Arbutus canariensis) is a small evergreen tree grown as much for its bark as its fruit. The trunk peels in cinnamon and rust coloured sheets to a smooth surface beneath, so it holds interest at eye level all year. In a home garden it reaches around 6m tall and 3.5m wide, with non invasive roots that let you plant it near paving without worry.

Why you'll love it

• Bark that is the main event. Peeling cinnamon coloured strips reveal smooth pale wood underneath, giving a feature tree that works in winter as well as summer.
• Shade at a manageable size. At about 6m by 3.5m it casts real shade over a seating area without outgrowing a suburban block.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. The root system is non invasive, so it can sit near paths, driveways and paved courtyards.
• Coastal and dry climate proven. Salt tolerant, drought tolerant and heat tolerant, so exposed seaside blocks and hot inland gardens both suit it.
• Flowers, fruit and birds. White to pink bells hang through the cooler months and ripen to edible orange fruit that birds work through.

Where it works best

Feature and shade tree. Plant it where you walk past the trunk, because the bark is the reason to grow it. One tree shades a courtyard or a small back lawn comfortably.

Coastal gardens. Salt laden wind does not mark the foliage, so it holds up in front line seaside gardens where many small trees burn.

Driveways and avenues. Allow at least 4m between trees so each canopy keeps its shape and the trunks stay visible from the drive.

Growing Canary Island Strawberry Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. It belongs in warm temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens, and it takes light frost only, so cold tableland and inland districts are a real stretch and young trees there need a warm sheltered wall.

Soil. Free draining soil above all else. It tolerates poor, gravelly ground but will sulk in heavy wet clay, so plant on a raised mound if drainage is doubtful and mulch 75mm deep.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers to get the roots down, then it is genuinely drought tolerant. A light application of complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is all it needs.

Pruning. Very little required. Remove crossing branches and lift the lower limbs while the tree is young if you want the bark on show, then leave it alone.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow this tree in four sizes: tube stock, 400mm and 45L pots, and 100L. Tubes are the patient option, taking several years to show the mature bark. The 400mm and 45L trees are the usual garden choice, while 100L stock arrives with a formed trunk and real height on day one.

Expect a quiet first season while the roots establish, then steady growth. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Trees with non invasive roots
• Plants for coastal and salt exposed gardens
• Small trees for urban blocks
• Choosing trees to line a driveway

Common questions

Can you eat the fruit?

Yes, the orange fruit is edible, though it is mild and mealy rather than sweet and nothing like a strawberry. Most gardeners leave it for the birds.

How close to a house or path can I plant it?

The roots are non invasive, so 2m from paving is reasonable and 3m from a house allows for the mature canopy width of about 3.5m.

Will it grow in a cold garden?

Only in a sheltered spot. It handles light frost, but repeated hard frosts in tableland and inland districts will damage it, so colder gardens are better served by a frost hardy tree.