Helping my brother in law's family move into their new place in Mission, I was a bit surprised to see a nice old arbutus in their front yard. Just for fun, what's the furthest east arbutus in B.C., I suspect someone's succeeded further out than my relative's place?
For sure there is no wild population anywhere close. Something in the back of my mind is saying the Pitt Lake basin might have a few wild trees, as that area seems a bit of an anomaly (sea level, tidal, very close to the Fraser). The tree in Mission would have been planted when the house was built, making it some time in the '90s...since it is (predictably!) right up against the south facing foundation wall. Growing well tho...had to be pruned to keep it away from the walkway...and perhaps 20ft. tall now.
Yes,there is a few dozen wild arbutus found beside Pitt Lake, they look right at home. A few of them are near some of the native rock paintings.
