Has anyone here tasted fruit from a Strawberry Tree? To me it taste like a mix of peach, plum and fig. Although the taste is not bad at all. I much rather enjoy figs. Family members here especially the children like it very much. We can hardly keep the birds of our Strawberry Tree. Birds truly love the ST fruit just as much as figs.  

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I use to find that fruit growing wild when I was young back in Italy 50 years ago. I would love to have one to share with my grandkids , would it survive in Connecticut zone 6a ? Even if it doesn't I would like to buy a tree from you or if you prefer we could talk trade , I have many fig varieties,most from Italy .

Does anyone know it's official name and does anyone know it's hardiness and other information about it ?

Beautiful pictures ! Tagged for more info as well.  That tree would look great in my orchard :)

Very interesting looking tree and fruit.... I also wonder how it would do in my zone 6A in Putnam County NY.... Do the fruits have stones or small seeds in the same manner as figs?

Mario, it is Arbutus unedo. Related to the Madrone, and supposed to be quite cold hardy, once established. Native to the Mediterranean. Used a lot in landscaping in central California. Easy to start from seed.

Thanks!  I had never heard of it.  Sure looks beautiful.

Thanks Gary knowing the name is a good start, I will follow up

Thanks, Gary! I looked up the plant based on the info you provided and it looks like it is hardy to zone 7.... Supposed to have a figgy texture to it with a strawberry taste. Sounds intriguing... Will also investigate further....

@Mario_1  sounds like an interesting addition to the garden or potted plant collection... yes?  :-)

Why bother with tiny seeds? Growing this from seed would take years before you even see the day of light. With very little effort it took me seconds to figure cuttings is the way to go. This will save you lots time and headaches. If you Google Strawberry Tree the scientific name, hardiness and all other information about this tree will instantly pop up in your results. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Are cuttings being offered anywhere? @gardenCrochet your FB page is still being flagged as "

The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed"

The fruit looks like Lychee grown in parts of South and South East asia. It is peel-able and taste exotic.
http://www.lycheesonline.com/

oh no.  Another sub-tropical tree I need to grow.
Has anyone found out a source for cuttings?

Not yet but the day isn't over yet...  lol

I would be interested in knowing where to obtain this strawberry tree as well.  In the Spring I plan to complement my six fig trees with pomegranates, pawpaws (from Chatham County, NC) and now the strawberry tree.

Thanks

Tad

My experience is the taste is not great but everyone has their own opinion so grow it if you like it! It is a beautiful tree however, very nice trunk and leaves. Definitely not something that will grow in freezing conditions.

Surprisingly, Lychee fruit and leaves look the same as the strawberry tree but Lychee fruit has a fat smooth stone.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=lychee+trees&biw=1434&bih=756&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjp_oSv3uPQAhVT42MKHdliC_4QsAQIJQ&dpr=1

Strawberry tree tastes nothing like a litchi. Litchi is one of the most desirable fruits out there. I think Strawberry Tree may have named culitvars for fruit in Portugal (so I've read). Here in CA it is an ornamental not grown for fruit quality. It tastes like a grainy plum. My dogs like them :)

Grainy plum? Ugh! Guess i will stick with persimmons and figs and assorted whatnot already growing in garden and avoid looking for unneeded new diversions.

I have Lychee trees. I wouldn't compare them to the Strawberry Trees. I wouldn't go as far to say it taste like a grainy plum. Of course if you are forging unripe fruit off someone's ornamental tree that's probably what it will taste like. Now if you care for your tree like we do our fig trees. Now that's a whole different package. I kid you not this fruit actually taste like figs with a hint of plum and peach. Not extremely sweet but just subtle enough on the taste buds. The trick is to pick it ripe. If you pick it green or yellow then that will most likely give you a bad grainy experience. Just think of figs, plums, pomegranates and persimmons when you pick them unripe. You see just like figs they won't keep fresh if you store them for to long. This is why they are not a commercial fruit. No money to be made. Basically same scenario. You have to pick them when they are ripe of the tree to be able to enjoy and appreciate the fruit. If you Google more information on the net you will see all the benefits it has to offer. Some cultures swear by it's medicinal properties. Others use it for baking, jams and beverages. We have kept our tree for years. This tree is not appreciated by those who have not grown it. The Irish, Portuguese and great part of Europe valued its fermentation qualities. Just for it's ornamental qualities it is well worth having it in your collection. Gorgeous flowers and fruit just in time for the holidays.

Take a look at this article if you want some honest history on this tree.

http://www.treehealthcare.co.uk/strawberry-tree-history/

Imagine how ridiculous it would sound if your heard someone say figs taste hard and bitter but my bunnies love them. :)

[QUOTE=OttawanZ5]Surprisingly, Lychee fruit and leaves look the same as the strawberry tree but Lychee fruit has a fat smooth stone.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=lychee+trees&biw=1434&bih=756&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjp_oSv3uPQAhVT42MKHdliC_4QsAQIJQ&dpr=1[/QUOTE]

You have to see and touch/taste !!
Lychee is a totally different plant.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/a-fig-associate-6583430?highlight=arbutus+unedo&pid=1280024397

Francisco
Portugal

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For those who asked me for cuttings. I have listed cuttings on ebay for your consideration.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/371809269673?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I wonder if you can overwinter Lychee like you do citrus trees in colder climates. Has anyone successfully fruited Lychee in zone 7 indoors?

I myself don't like this fruit, you can buy plants all over the place. Such as Raintree nursery. Whitman Farms has it, Monrovia, it's extremely easy to find at numerous nurseries.

Does anyone know how to root hardwood cuttings?

[QUOTE=pino]Does anyone know how to root hardwood cuttings?[/QUOTE]
Similar method as figs. Here is a link:

http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/how-to-to-take-cuttings-from-strawberry.html

[QUOTE=pino]Does anyone know how to root hardwood cuttings?[/QUOTE]


I know a while back I had read some info on growing from hardwood cuttings. By planting enough cuttings of each semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings you increase the odds of success. 

Cutting instructions:

• Take cuttings from November thru December
• Hardwood cuttings of 6-8 Inches long.
• Plant the cuttings in a propogating dome.
• Use enough cuttings as success rate can be 45% to 65%. Success rate can be enhanced by using cutting hormone of your choice.

Perfect thanks!

[QUOTE=Mario_1]I use to find that fruit growing wild when I was young back in Italy 50 years ago. I would love to have one to share with my grandkids , would it survive in Connecticut zone 6a ? Even if it doesn't I would like to buy a tree from you or if you prefer we could talk trade , I have many fig varieties,most from Italy .[/QUOTE]
Hi! I am from Bridgeport ,Ct Have also many Figs from Italy, Portugal, Russia etc....

Hi Eugene We're not to far , we should get together sometime, we probably learn a lot from each other Mario