Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Scientific Name: Arbutus unedo — Strawberry Tree.
Native Home: Mediterranean region and western Europe, including parts of Ireland.
Height: Usually 15–35 ft (5–10 m), occasionally up to 50 ft (15 m).
Lifespan: Can live for many decades and potentially over 100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Fruit: Red, strawberry-like fruits are used for jams, jellies, liqueurs and traditional brandy.
Harvesting: Ripe fruits are hand-picked in autumn.
Age to Harvest: Usually several years before significant fruiting.
Products: Jams, preserves, beverages, honey and ornamental plants.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Fruits and wood have been used around the Mediterranean for food, beverages and small wood products.
Global Spread: Cultivated mainly as an ornamental and fruit tree in Mediterranean-climate regions.
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