Strawberry tree: how to plant, yield, costs and available support
The fruit, the plant, the tree, growing conditions, profitability, investment, non-repayable grants, EU funds and the potential of this species rooted in Portugal. A 360º look at the future of strawberry trees and their potential for value addition in orchard, agroforestry and other contexts, and how to find out if your land is right for planting them.
What is the strawberry tree and where does it come from?
The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is an evergreen tree from the Mediterranean basin, in the heather family (Ericaceae); in Portugal it grows mainly in the Lower Alentejo and the Algarve hills.
Scientific name: Arbutus unedo
Common name: Strawberry tree
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Strawberry tree
Origin: The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin, known for its highly nutritious fruit.
In Portugal, it is grown especially in Baixo Alentejo and Serra Algarvia, being used for both fresh consumption and the production of aguardente.
What is the strawberry tree fruit like, and can you eat it?
Yes, the fruit (medronho) is edible: a small, round, rough red berry that turns from green to yellow, orange and red as it ripens.
Before reaching its intense red state, it goes through various stages of green, yellow and orange coloration. The best-known component of the strawberry tree is its fruit.
Can you eat strawberry tree fruit? Yes, it is an edible fruit, used in cooking, baking and other areas for its recognised antioxidant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, depurative and diuretic properties.
What is the strawberry tree fruit used for?
Its main use is medronho brandy (aguardente de medronho); it is also used for jams, liqueurs, honey, leaf infusions and charcoal from the wood.
Medronho brandy is a spirituous, aromatic and colourless drink. Its versatility allows it to be added to various cocktails or simply drunk with coffee, a common practice throughout the country and especially in the lower Alentejo and Algarve where the drink is best known and appreciated.
Other applications :
- fresh food and culinary applications for its antioxidant properties, sugar level (sweets, jelly, jam, yogurts, cakes, chocolates, bread, vinegar, gelatin...)
- Strawberry tree honey is a very specific honey due to its bitter taste, reminiscent of coffee. It crystallizes quickly and has a dark brown color.
- alcoholic liqueurs . gin, vodka and medronho beer are already available on the market
- Use of its leaves for infusions . Its diuretic and antiseptic properties can be used for homeopathic purposes.
- Its leaves and bark are also used for tanning leather, as they are rich in tannins.
- strawberry tree branch for ornamental purposes
- The wood from this bush, in addition to being good quality firewood, is also used to make charcoal.
What does the strawberry tree look like and where does it grow?
The strawberry tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to about 5 m tall that grows wild on poor, schist soils in the Alentejo, the Algarve and inland central and northern Portugal.
Between November and December, the strawberry tree has colors that remind us of a Christmas tree: green, yellow, orange and red fruits and white and pink flowers.
Strawberry trees grow favorably and spontaneously in poor, schist soils , especially in the regions of Alentejo, Algarve and the interior of the Central and Northern Regions of Portugal.
The strawberry tree normally grows like a shrub up to a height of approximately 5 meters with erect branches that sprout from the trunk 0.50 meters above the ground and are also quite spaced apart.
The strawberry tree's crown is rounded with persistent, elliptical leaves that take on a dark green color similar to that of the cork oak, and also have a waxy shine on the upper surface.
The flowers of this strawberry tree are white or slightly pink in color and are very decorative . If you want to know more about the exploitation of the tree , contact us !
What is the future of strawberry tree farming?
The strawberry tree is moving from wild scrubland to orchards: with planned planting, selection of the best trees, irrigation and pruning, it gives more and better fruit.
Knowledge of other fruit trees reached the strawberry tree, allowing for a higher quality final product for the consumer.
Some practices such as : the arrangement of strawberry trees in orchards, the choice and selection of trees with the best fruits, watering, pruning operations, pruning, among others, allow a higher quality product to consumers.
How do you plant or sow a strawberry tree?
Plant strawberry trees that are already 15 to 50 cm tall with a well-formed root system; sowing directly or rooting cuttings in the field has a very low success rate.
Techniques such as sowing seeds directly into the soil or propagation by cuttings have a very low success rate.
In the lower Alentejo, under dry conditions, the common practice is to plant at the end of winter .
The time of year to plant strawberry trees will depend on several factors such as the climate of the area, soil quality and whether or not you have access to water to irrigate the strawberry trees.
Highly recommended for areas with high exposure to frost, the placement of micro-perforated protective tubes. If you want to know more about planting, contact us .
How should land be prepared for planting strawberry trees?
Prepare the land in this order: know the land and its legal constraints, test the soil, clear the scrub, correct the soil and rip it, with raised beds where needed.
Knowing the terrain before bringing in machinery: slopes, soil depth, and constraints (REN, protected trees, watercourses) determine where and how work can be carried out. See how we analyse it on a map.
Soil analysis (assessing soil fertility in terms of macro and micronutrients, organic matter, and pH levels is the bare minimum that should be evaluated). Based on these results, you will assess whether any soil treatment or correction is needed for the proper development of the plant after planting
Land mechanization, with a view to the development of the strawberry tree, should involve some actions such as:- Debrushing (clearing, removing existing vegetation, reducing competition with plants, and increasing their exposure to sunlight) with the incorporation of plant material into the soil.
Soil corrections such as organic matter, pH correction, or others as necessary, taking into account the soil analyses.
Ripping the land, ripping allows, when the “ripper” is used on dry soil, to fracture compacted layers, thus increasing the volume of available soil. This operation is extremely important, as it will facilitate root penetration into the soil, while also facilitating drainage and water infiltration.
Ridges, in some areas, ridges may be created for the planting of the tree.
The operations can be more or less complex depending on the location and its condition, if you would like to know more about land preparation for strawberry tree planting contact us.
What are micro-perforated tree shelters for when planting?
Tree shelters reduce plant losses and bring production forward: they keep moisture in, create a microclimate and protect against animals, wind and frost.
- Ensures efficient and correct growth of the aerial and root parts
- It retains moisture directly to the root zone. It produces a microclimate that is favorable to the survival and growth of the plant. It protects from direct sunlight.
- Protects the plant from rodents and larger animals, strong winds and frost
- Reusable and/or Recyclable
An investment to consider not only for the reduction in mortality rates but also for bringing forward the plant's entry into production.
Note : buy tubes suitable for strawberry trees (micro-perforated, with a border at the top, 40 to 50 cm)
How long does a strawberry tree take to bear fruit?
In rain-fed orchards in the Lower Alentejo, strawberry trees start bearing fruit between year 3 and year 5, most often in year 4.
This time can be reduced depending on some factors such as: choice of plants, land preparation, quality of the plantation, irrigation systems, among others.
What is the difference between cloned and seed-grown strawberry trees?
A cloned strawberry tree is an exact copy of the mother tree and costs 4 to 10 times more; a seed-grown tree comes from seed and may differ from the mother tree.
Cloned strawberry trees are a replica of the tree from which they originated, thus having exactly the same characteristics as the parent plant.
Seed-grown strawberry trees are grown from seeds obtained from fruit taken from the mother tree. Simply put, these seeds are not guaranteed to be identical to that "mother" tree (as they are influenced by both the mother and father trees).
Cloned strawberry trees are produced using micropropagation or cuttings techniques, and their value is 4 to 10 times higher than that of a seed-grown strawberry tree.
Should I choose cloned strawberry trees?
There are several factors to consider when selecting plants and their origin. To find out more, please do not hesitate to ask for further information.
Should I choose cloned or seed-grown strawberry trees?
To maximise fruit, choose cloned trees: they yield more but cost 4 to 10 times as much; seed-grown trees suit lower-investment orchards and give more genetic diversity.
However, you should bear in mind:
- the origin of the clones
- ensure genetic diversity in your orchard to reduce exposure to potential pests and diseases
- there are good seed-grown orchards with much lower investments (careful choice of nurseries)
Where should I buy strawberry trees? Where to buy is linked to your choice of plant origin. Given the variety of available options, take into account several factors other than price, especially:
- nurseries certified by the ICNF
- the origin of the seed or clone. Having a phytosanitary passport - DGAV
- ask for references and visit orchards that have used your potential supplier
To learn more about productivity and tests carried out with various plants, contact us.
How many strawberry trees should I plant per hectare?
Strawberry tree orchards should have between 400 and 1000 plants per ha .
The three main factors in defining the number of strawberry trees to plant per ha are:
- definition of what purpose we want from plants (branches, fruit, forest and association with other species)
- slope and inclination of the land where the orchard is installed
- How the orchard will be managed in terms of pruning and formation of strawberry trees
How many kilos of fruit does a strawberry tree produce?
A mature strawberry tree in good conditions produces 6 to 8 kg of fruit a year; young trees (4 to 5 years) give 1 to 3 kg, and irrigated cloned trees can exceed 8 kg.
Production per tree varies greatly depending on age, plant type (seedling or clonal), soil, and the presence of irrigation, but there are average values that can help provide guidance.
- Young plants (4-5 years): 1 to 3 kg/plant
- Start of full production (6–8 years): 3 to 5 kg/plant
- Adult plants in good condition: 6 to 8 kg/plant
- Clonal plants under irrigation (ideal scenario): can exceed 8 kg/plant
In poor or unirrigated soils, production is naturally lower. However, in areas with good moisture or with drip irrigation support, productivity per plant increases very significantly.
How much does it cost to plant one hectare of strawberry trees?
Planting one hectare of strawberry trees costs between €2,500 and €12,500, depending on the land, the soil, the plants, the tree shelters and irrigation.
- Current conditions of the land (slope, scrub, access)
- Type of sun and need for preparation operations
- Need for initial corrections and fertilization
- Type of plants chosen (provenance, size, certification)
- Use of individual protectors, stakes and other consolidation materials
- Chosen system: dry farming or installation of irrigation with fertigation
Half of these factors can be read on the map before going to the land. That is why we quote each project based on your property, not on an average. → How we calculate
Can I plant strawberry trees on any land?
In most cases, yes: REN, RAN, Natura 2000, the municipal plan (PDM), protected trees or fuel breaks rarely prevent an orchard, but they change how it is done (notifying the right authority, planting along contour lines, leaving an area out).
Knowing this beforehand avoids halting the works halfway or having an application rejected.
How do I know if my land is suitable and how much it can produce?
By putting the land on a map. We overlay your property's boundaries with 2 m LiDAR slope data, soil, aspect, water and constraints. From there come the area with potential, the planting spacing for each zone and the numbers: investment, production and return.
In a 33 ha example in the Odemira hills: 75% with potential, protected trees preserved and, with support, payback from year 4.
When and how should I prune strawberry trees?
Prune strawberry trees during dormancy; pruning mainly reduces the size of the shrub, shapes the tree and makes harvesting easier.
In most situations, the strawberry tree grows in shrub form, without any intervention that would allow for the renewal of new branches. Most pruning interventions are aimed at reducing the size of the shrub and facilitating harvesting .
Training and shaping pruning are critical for those seeking to increase fruit production per tree. When "choosing" the tree's shape, you can opt for a "vase" shape, a "covered central axis" shape, or others.
Pruning, branch removal, or topping, which are more aggressive interventions, may be necessary for large trees, trees in areas burned by fire, or other conditions.
How do you prune strawberry trees?
The basic principles of pruning operations are aligned with the pruning of other fruit trees and are based on widely tested and disseminated knowledge. The main question to be answered is what shape you want to give your trees, how you want the pruning to be conducted.
Contact us To learn more about pruning strawberry trees.
What characteristics determine the pruning of the strawberry tree?
The strawberry tree always bears fruit on new shoots, regenerates well after severe pruning or fire, and has little apical dominance, which changes the way it is pruned:
- An evergreen shrub or small tree. In good growing conditions, it can reach several metres in height
- Little apical dominance
- The older wood has dormant buds that, after stress (severe pruning or the destruction of part of the fire-damaged area), sprout and produce new shoots
- A great capacity to regenerate from the stump. The thicker roots contain reserves and dormant buds
- Flower clusters originate from ready terminal buds (they form in the same year they develop), meaning the tree always bears fruit on new shoots
- Ten to twelve months elapse between flowering and harvest; it is common for the harvest season to coincide with the flowering of the crop that will bear fruit the following year
- Ripening and flowering normally occur between October and December; there are also plants that, under certain conditions, have ripe fruit in August.
Should I irrigate strawberry trees? Can I use fertigation?
Yes, if you can: the strawberry tree tolerates drought, but irrigation from May to August improves growth and fruit; fertigation corrects nutrient shortfalls according to soil tests.
In most of the country (Portugal), established orchards do not have irrigation systems due to two reasons:
- high investments in irrigation systems
- difficulty accessing water
In mainland Portugal, the strawberry tree benefits from irrigation because the hot months of May-August are too harsh and cause water stress for the plants, jeopardizing the development of the plant and the fruit.
The irrigation plan should take into account the age of the plant, its phenological cycle, and the local moisture and rainfall conditions.
Fertilization via irrigation will be important if the plant has any nutritional needs, to control pests, or for other reasons. Note that this should also take into account the phenological cycle and soil analyses.
How much water do strawberry trees need?
There is no fixed number of litres: watering depends on the climate and soil, the plant's growth stage, its age, the objective (survival or fruit production), and the irrigation system.
- soil and climatic conditions
- phenological stage
- the age and leaf and root development of the strawberry trees
- strawberry trees tolerate water stress, so it is necessary to understand the watering objectives (plant survival, type of fruit)
- installed irrigation system
When do strawberry trees flower?
Strawberry trees flower from October to January, at the same time as the previous year's fruit ripens; the flower buds form between June and September.
From October to January, its small white flowers bloom in hanging clusters, while at the same time the ripe fruits from the previous year's flowers are ready to be harvested.
The strawberry tree at this time of year is one of the most striking species in our forest areas due to the variety of colors it displays (white, pink, green, yellow, orange, and red).
What are the most common pests and diseases of strawberry trees?
There are few: the most common are aphids, the strawberry tree caterpillar and moth, and fungi such as black spot.
Strawberry trees are a hardy species that has only begun to be planted in orchards in recent years, and always with great genetic diversity.
As such, there are still not many pests and diseases in this crop
The most common are: aphids (such as the green aphid and the black aphid), the strawberry tree butterfly or "strawberry tree caterpillar" and the strawberry tree moth, and there are several fungi, such as the one that causes so-called black spot
When does the strawberry tree fruit harvest begin?
The strawberry tree fruit harvest season begins in October and can last until January. Between November and December 15th is usually, in the lower Alentejo region, the time when 90% of the quality strawberry tree fruit is harvested.
This is a manual process of extreme importance for the quality of the famous Medronho Brandy . Only ripe fruits should be chosen; they cannot be "pecked" by birds or fermenting. Leaves and stems cannot be picked. All these factors contribute to the chemical and sensory quality of Medronho Brandy.
How much does 1 kg of strawberry tree fruit cost?
Strawberry tree fruit for fresh consumption costs €6 to €12/kg . The market for fresh strawberry tree fruit is small in the national market.
The strawberry tree fruit harvested to produce medronho brandy cost between €1.5 and €3/kg , depending on the product's origin, Brix level, and harvest quality.
If you wish to buy or sell strawberry tree fruit, please contact us.
Is strawberry tree cultivation profitable?
It can be, with proper planning: profitability depends on the planting density and variety, irrigation, soil, installation costs, and access to support schemes such as the Young Farmer scheme.
Questions such as "Is strawberry tree growing profitable?" or "How much can I earn per hectare?" are common. There is no single answer, as it depends on several factors. However, there are critical factors that affect profitability and deserve careful consideration.
Profitability depends on several factors:
- The choice of variety and planting density.
- The irrigation system, soil quality, and marketing model.
- Orchard investment and maintenance
Funding is crucial: Support programmes and EU funds (Young Farmer Project and others can make the investment more viable.
With proper planning and good management, strawberry tree fruit can be a productive crop with a growing market.
How can I obtain subsidies for planting strawberry trees?
Subsidies are obtained by applying for PEPAC (for example, Young Farmer), with a technical and financial project, during the periods when the calls are open. See the explained support.
There are EU and national supports for agriculture, but the process can be bureaucratic.
Common requirements:
- Minimum area required
- Initial investment and maintenance commitments
- Solid technical and financial project to make the application viable
The Process: feasibility analysis → application → evaluation → project execution.
Having an experienced partner increases the chances of success in the approval of the financing.
Is it possible to establish a strawberry tree orchard without significant investment?
Yes: by choosing the right land, adjusting the density, installing in phases and using EU funds.
Many farmers seek to reduce initial costs without compromising productivity... is it possible?
- Yes, but it requires efficient management of costs and available support
- Strategies to reduce costs:
- Choosing the most suitable land.
- Optimizing planting density.
- Phased project implementation
- Applying for EU funds such as the Young Farmer Project or others
- The balance between initial investment and expected return is essential
- Taking advantage of EU funds can minimize costs and accelerate profitability.