The Arbutus is Canada’s only native broadleaf evergreen tree (more info). Which just means it looks like a deciduous tree but keeps it leaves all year round. Except when they fall off, which seems to be constantly. It lives within 8 kilometres of the ocean on sunny, very well drained soil.
On a hot summer day you can almost watch the old bark curl up and fall off the tree. Also falling from each tree are about a million leaves…usually just after you’ve swept your deck. And these are leaves with attitude. They’re tough and manage to get an unyielding foothold in the space between deck boards.
So how can it be my favourite tree? What’s your favourite?
*almost forgot: although Arbutus is rarely used as lumber, it’s a favourite of woodworkers
Created by Salt Spring artist, Antonio Alonso
It’s been my favourite ever since the first one I spotted 40 years, a newly-arrived BC’er!
Welcome newly-arrived BC’er.
If you’d been living on Salt Spring Island for 40 yrs, you might soon be classified as a local!