Marina Strawberry Tree

Arbutus ‘Marina’ is an evergreen hybrid tree selected for glossy foliage, pink flowers and peeling copper to cinnamon-colored bark. Its ancestry is uncertain, but the name is well established in California horticulture and the tree is distinct from Arbutus unedo. ## Form and seasonal interest The [UC Davis Arboretum profile](https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/all-stars/arbutus-marina) lists mature size at about 25–30 feet or more in both height and width, pink flowers, and May–June bloom in Davis. A [Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation culture sheet](https://library.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ArbutusXMarina.pdf) describes a medium-sized flowering tree with a large crown and discusses parentage as possible rather than certain. The cultivar entered California nursery trade in 1984. Other growers report later-season flowering, so timing shifts by climate and conditions. ## Siting Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, leaving room for a broad crown. UC Davis lists moderate watering for established trees, with less frequent irrigation under its lower-water regime; a nursery recommends ample water during establishment. It works as a specimen or screen where its mature spread fits. Pink flowers and limited strawberry-like fruit add seasonal interest, while peeling bark remains prominent year-round. ## Maintenance Water regularly during establishment, then adjust irrigation to soil and climate. Prune selectively to shape or raise the canopy, preserving natural form and attractive bark; avoid tight shearing.