Arbutus Tree Berry Nutrients

munkyeetr · 20th March 2008, 06:00 AM

Hi,

This is my first post here. I hope to be a regular around here.

I live on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and we have tons or Arbutus trees (AKA: Mandrone or Mandrona or Arbutus Menziesii). I have read that the berries are edible, but uninteresting (pulpy, flavourless). My question is, even though they are uninteresting, does anyone know what (if any) nutrients the berries would provide in an emergency situation.

Would they be worth eating in a survival situation?

Thanks.

TreeSpecialist · 20th March 2008, 07:21 AM

If you had absolutely nothing else to eat, yes they are edible.

The tree was named "Arbutus" after the latin word for "strawberry tree."

I suppose to the first botanists the fruit looked like strawberries. The fruit is food for birds, small mammals, and even bears.

Teas can be made from the bark for stomach problems and soothing ointments can be made from the leaves.

The fruit usually doesn't ripen until December but may hang on the tree for a full year before falling.

In Texas we have Arbutus texensis - very similar to what you have in the Northwest. It's the only completely protected tree in Travis County. Very fragile, very easy to kill if disturbed and very slow growing.

Seedlings can fetch as much as $300.00 ( 5 gallon/ 1/2 to 3/4" caliper) or more.

Sean Freeman · 20th March 2008, 07:52 AM

Arbutus truely is a beautiful tree, shame its classified as a weed here!

Two shots from Adelaide...

blair duncanson · 20th March 2008, 08:52 AM

Alternatively you could set traps for any beastie whishing to feed on, buds, fruits etc. Although i don't think ure that stuck?

munkyeetr · 20th March 2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blair duncanson

Alternatively you could set traps for any beastie whishing to feed on, buds, fruits etc. Although i don't think ure that stuck?

Good point! LOL.

20th March 2008, 06:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
munkyeetr I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 2	Arbutus Tree Berry Nutrients Hi, This is my first post here. I hope to be a regular around here. I live on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and we have tons or Arbutus trees (AKA: Mandrone or Mandrona or Arbutus Menziesii). I have read that the berries are edible, but uninteresting (pulpy, flavourless). My question is, even though they are uninteresting, does anyone know what (if any) nutrients the berries would provide in an emergency situation. Would they be worth eating in a survival situation? Thanks.

20th March 2008, 07:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
TreeSpecialist Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 122	Re: Arbutus Tree Berry Nutrients If you had absolutely nothing else to eat, yes they are edible. The tree was named "Arbutus" after the latin word for "strawberry tree." I suppose to the first botanists the fruit looked like strawberries. The fruit is food for birds, small mammals, and even bears. Teas can be made from the bark for stomach problems and soothing ointments can be made from the leaves. The fruit usually doesn't ripen until December but may hang on the tree for a full year before falling. In Texas we have Arbutus texensis - very similar to what you have in the Northwest. It's the only completely protected tree in Travis County. Very fragile, very easy to kill if disturbed and very slow growing. Seedlings can fetch as much as $300.00 ( 5 gallon/ 1/2 to 3/4" caliper) or more.

20th March 2008, 08:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
blair duncanson Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: argyll Posts: 92	Re: Arbutus Tree Berry Nutrients Alternatively you could set traps for any beastie whishing to feed on, buds, fruits etc. Although i don't think ure that stuck?

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