EXCEPTIONAL Yamadori Arbutus Strawberry Tree

EXCEPTIONAL Yamadori Arbutus Strawberry Tree

So, here's a unique opportunity. We feel pretty safe going out on a limb and saying that this is, in all likelihood, the the best and possibly only significant example of arbutus to be offered for sale in the UK.

Graham imported this incredible tree from Sicily well over 15 years ago. Formerly the survivor of a scrub fire, the interior wood is still black when it's scrubbed. At that time it was little more than a bare stump. In it's large bucket it grew very strongly and soon filled out nicely.

When we moved to our current loaction Graham stuffed it into a tiny Duffet pot which proved to be a mistake and it suffered badly. We now know arbutus do NOT like tiny pots. Due to an insane workload the tree was pushed to one side and forgotten for several seasons.

Eventually it got moved into a large pot and has been doing significantly better ever since. Graham is now reducing his collection in order to focus more on his most significant bonsai and so has reluctantly decided to part company with this one.

In the ground in our area arbutus make impressive trees. However in a pot they seem to be much slower. Possibly because we are so near the sea and our average summer temperatures are much lower than other parts of the country. Our garden is also brutally exposed to north winds and 100% sun exposure making a harsh climate for any plant.

So, here's what we know about arbutus in relation to bonsai cultivation. Arbutus bud from very old wood readily and it's possible in late spring to cut right back into very old wood and new shoots will appear profusely in weeks. Normal growth starts in the latter part of May an can carry on until well into autumn. Only young shoots (up to a year old) can be wired, once they have lignified they are brittle and if bent significantly will most likely dry out within 2 years.

The trees seem to like about 50/50 direct sun with some light shade. Arbutus are also ericaceous and prefer very slightly acid conditions much like satsuki azaleas. We have hard water so this has given us problems growing this group of plants. Like most acid loving plants use an ericaceous fertiliser and apply an iron supplement at least twice throughout the growing season.

Re-potting is rarely required. When it is the tree must be in active growth, if it's dormant it will almost certainly die. Graham has repotted this at the end of May and also the latter part of August and it's still here. A standard soil mix like our No2 with added organic matter like coir works a treat.

We have never seen any pests on this tree. It's grown very well in a poly tunnel and outside in very light shade. It does less well in direct sun and the foliage colour tends towards more yellow with excess exposure. This has been good outside to -4 Celsius  which is as cold as it gets out here on the coast.

In late summer to early autumn the tree flushes with flowers that look almost like little bunches of white currants. In the following year these develop into absolutely stunning small red strawberry like fruits.

If you think you have a suitable situation for this stunning and super rare tree and can give it what it needs do feel free to get in touch.

38" tall above it's pot. 48" wide overall. 13" across the trunk base.

Planted in a plastic bonsai pot.

The subject pictured is the EXACT plant we will send you. Appearance may vary depending upon the season.