Chrysolepis chrysophylla

Spectacular in bloom, this gorgeous tree native to Oregon and Northern California features bark which is thin and smooth on young trunks, becoming thicker and platy on older specimens. The open crown of this 50' (up to 150' in the wild) tree is conical in shape with dense leathery evergreen leaves are dark green on the top sides and beautifully golden underneath. White flowers in spring become showy, spiny burs containing one to three edible (and unbelievably delicious!) nuts. A wild and wonderful addition to the landscape and the only known host to the Golden Streak Butterfly; long lived too, up to 500 years! S/M-GDr

Washington has two native broad-leaf evergreen trees (well, three if you count Myrica californica, which fails to reach tree stature in Washington's wild populations). Most people know about madrona (Arbutus menziesii), but few have heard of this species, listed by some older references as Castanopsis chrysophylla. However, it is not uncommon to encounter this tree in some of southwest Oregon's less traveled forests. In Washington, it is known from only a few known places in the wild: near Carson in Skamania County, and from several scatted populations west of Hood Canal near Eldon, in a most interesting locale where gynormous Ceanothus velutinus can also be found, along with very blue forms of Arctostaphylos columbiana. The top surface of the leaves is a lustrous green, and the undersides are a beautiful golden color, brightening those dreary winter days. A magnificent, tall tree, it may reach 60' or more, eventually forming a rounded crown with age. One could think of it as similar to the magnificent silverleaf oak (Quercus hypoleucoides), but the leaves have golden, rather than silvery, undersides. In cultivation, it will appreciate a sheltered location in partial shade with little summer water once established. This collection from…. is hardy to…….