Madrona is a broadleaf evergreen native to the Pacific coast from British Columbia to California on dry rocky slopes and bluffs. In spring, they produce sprays of white bell-shaped flowers that are followed by round fruits that matures to red. The bark is quite stunning as the bark peels revealing a coppery surface. They are difficult to transplant and can be slow to establish. This tree requires very well-drained, low fertility, dry soils in full sun to partial shade. It should not be over-watered or fertilized. Use Madrona as a specimen, and for year-round interest. Its massive root system makes it ideal for erosion control. The base of its stem will have an underground regenerative organ that is referred to as a burl, or lignotuber. A burl is defined as a large, knobby growth, typically found on a tree trunk or branch, while a lignotuber is a burl that grows underground. It is made up of a collection of tree cells in response to an area where damage has occurred to the tree, such as from pruning. These form as a means of protecting the tree against destruction of the plant stem, such as can happen by wildfires. This tree will most likely do best in NC in the mountains due to the heat and humidity of coastal and Piedmont areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to several diseases including Phytophthora, cankers, leaf spot, and root rot. Aphids frequent this plant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
2 to 6-inch long and 1.5-3 inches wide oval, alternate, simple, waxy leaves. Glossy green above and paler underneath with entire margins.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Bell; Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
White bell-shaped flowers on 3- to 9-in. panicles in May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
0.3-inch red fruit with a barb that persists into winter. Each fruit contain numerous seeds.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The papery cinnamon, red-brown exfoliating bark peels off in large, thin scales. After the outer bark sheds, the remaining red bark is smooth with a polished appearance. Young bark may be a variety of color variations, but will darken to a deep red as the tree ages.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Smooth reddish-brown bark on single or multiple curved trunks. With variations in color, young stems can range from green to yellow-green. Immature trunks may be orange.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Western coast of N. America
Distribution
British Columbia south to California.
Wildlife value
Pollinated by bees. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers and also pollinate.