Arbutus
by Kathy Bassett
Title
Arbutus
Artist
Kathy Bassett
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Several species are widely cultivated as ornamental plants outside of their natural ranges, though cultivation is often difficult due to their intolerance of root disturbance. The hybrid Arbutus 'Marina' is much more adaptable and thrives under garden conditions.The Arbutus unedo tree makes up part of the coat of arms (El oso y el madro�o, The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) of the city of Madrid, Spain. In the center of the city (Puerta del Sol) there is a statue of a bear eating the fruit of the Madro�o tree. The image appears on city crests, taxi cabs, man-hole covers, and other city infrastructure. The fruit of the Madro�o tree ferments on the tree if left to ripen, so some of the bears become drunk from eating the berries. hmmmm....The Arbutus was important to the Straits Salish people of Vancouver Island, who used arbutus bark and leaves to create medicines for colds, stomach problems, and tuberculosis, and as the basis for contraceptives. The tree also figured into certain myths of the Straits Salish. The fruit is edible but has minimal flavour and is not widely eaten. In Portugal the fruit is sometimes distilled (legally or not) into a potent brandy known as medronho. In Madrid the fruit is distilled into Madro�o, a sweet, fruity liqueur.
Arbutus is a great fuelwood tree since it burns hot and long. Many Pacific Northwest states in the United States use the wood of A. menziesii primarily as a heat source,hmmmm....] as the wood holds no value in the production of homes since it doesn't grow in straight timbers.
Uploaded
August 4th, 2013
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