Pacific madrone

Pacific madrone is the largest member of ericaceae, sometimes reaching 34m tall; usuall 10-25m. Madrones may live 250 years or more and are extremely phototropic, meaning that the top growing points will seek the sun. In fact, when growing in the sun, madrones tend to be more bush-like. It is when they are growing in competition with other trees they grow taller, often leaning to seek out brightest spot. Pacific madrone is easy to recognize by its leathery, oval-shaped leaves. Old leaves are shed in the summer. Also in summer, especially where exposed to the sun, the cinnamon-colored bark peels off to reveal smooth, light green, younger bark that turns golden with age. Older madrones, growing in a forest, retain a scaly, reddish brown bark. White, urn-shaped flowers, in large drooping clusters, make an appearance in spring, followed by orange-red berries with a bumpy or granular surface in autumn.