Irish Trees
Irish Trees: click below
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Arbutus
Caithne
(Arbutus unedo)
Arbutus or the strawberry tree is a small evergreen tree,
which in Ireland can grow to be a forest tree reaching heights
of up to 15 metres. It has an unusual distribution, as it only
grows naturally throughout the Mediterranean and certain
parts of Ireland. Unlike many of our other native trees, which
reached us via Great Britain, Arbutus is thought to have spread here over the land bridge from Brittany.
Called the strawberry tree because of the distinct shape and
colour of its fruit, this species is found mainly in Co. Kerry
especially in the Killarney district where it forms a large part
of the natural forest on the islands and shores of the lakes. It
is also found in unshaded parts of Glengariff Wood, Co. Cork
and around Lough Gill in Co. Sligo.
Arbutus produces masses of white flowers in November and
December. Since the fruit takes 12 months to ripen, the tree
carries both mature fruit and flowers at the same time. The
fruit itsef is edible, but as the Latin name unedo – ‘eat only
once’ – implies, it is not very palatable.