Arbutus menziesii (Pacific madrona, madrone or arbutus) is a species of tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the western coastal areas of North America, from British Columbia to California.
This photo was taken at the English Camp on SanJuan Island
It is also known as the madroa, madroño, madroña, or bearberry. The name "strawberry tree" (A. unedo) may also be found in relation to A. menziesii(though it has no relation to the strawberry fruit). In the United States, the name "madrone" is used south of the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and Northern California and the name "madrona" is used north of the Siskiyou Mountains, according to the "Sunset Western Garden Book". The Concow tribecalls the tree dis-tā’-tsi (Konkow language) or kou-wät′-chu. In British Columbia it is simply referred to as arbutus. Its species name was given it in honour of the Scottish naturalist Archibald Menzies, who noted it during George Vancouver's voyage of exploration.
Arbutus menziesii is an evergreen tree with rich orange-red bark that when mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a satin sheen and smoothness.