Virginia Tech Dendrology

Arizona madrone Ericaceae Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg. symbol: ARAR2
Leaf: Evergreen, alternate, simple, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 2 to 4 inches long, entire margins or finely toothed, leathery, shiny green above, somewhat paler beneath.
Flower: Perfect, urn-shaped, 1/4 inch long, white to pink, borne in clusters up to 3 inches long that appear early (and occasionally throughout) in the growing season.
Fruit: Small (1/4 inch), orange-red, berry-like drupes with pebbly skins, mature in late summer.
Twig: Stout, initially light green but turning orange-red to red-brown with time; buds broadly ovate and light red to reddish brown, with large imbricate scales.
Bark: Rough, largely light gray, but reddish in patches, broken up into small square plates.
Form: A small to medium tree reaching up to 40 feet tall generally with a crooked trunk and twisted branches.
Looks like: Texas madrone - Pacific madrone

Additional Range Information: Arbutus arizonica is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information