Hortiforum

General Info – Strawberry Tree, Cane Apple, Irish Strawberry Tree

The Strawberry Tree stands out as an excellent, evergreen ornamental choice for cooler climates, offering a host of appealing features, being hardy to various conditions, boasting handsome charm and yields sweet, red berries.
Often found gracing public parks and gardens, Strawberry Trees are popular for their dark green, elliptical leaves, spreading crown, and flaking grey bark, making it a versatile specimen tree. Its white, bell-shaped flowers, hanging from the terminal growth, bears a striking resemblance to those of the Blueberry, with both belonging to the Ericaceae family. These blossoms often grace the tree from fall to midwinter, coinciding with the ripening of its orange-red fruits.
The Strawberry Tree earns its name from the similarity of its berries, which grow up to 2cm and feature a rough surface akin to the Chinese Red Bayberry. Each fruit encases a bright yellow, slightly gritty pulp, offering a sweet yet subtly tangy flavour reminiscent of Peach, Apricot, Guava, or Strawberry, while also being rich in Vitamin C. While best enjoyed fresh off the tree as a foraged snack, the berries can also be used to make jams or jellies. In Portugal, the fruits are used to a create a traditional fruit brandy ‘Medronho’.
Strawberry Trees are native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast of Portugal, where they featured often throughout history They are considered a national symbol of Italy and form pats of the Coat of arms of the city of Madrid. They are noteworthy for their cold tolerance and evergreen nature and have come to be cultivated more widely in cooler maritime climates such as the British Isles, occasionally being known as the “Irish Strawberry Tree” as there is also a native population of these trees in the south-west of Ireland. A Strawberry Tree can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius, often with no reported damage, making it suitable for all temperate climates in Australia. Remarkably, it adapts to challenging soil profiles, including heavy clay and slightly alkaline soils, a rarity among Ericaceae family members. Additionally, it tolerates exposed positions, moderate drought, wind, and salt levels. However, it thrives best in moist, slightly acidic, fertile soils with good drainage and full sun exposure. Plants have decent salt tolerance and an extensive root system which stabilises soils.
While its fruits may not rank among the finest, the Strawberry Tree compensates with its low-maintenance, ornamental appeal, and generous yields of snacking fruits.

Plant Profile/Properties