San Marcos Growers planted our first Arbutus 'Marina' on the nursery property in 1989. It was a low branched plant in a 24 inch box and planted out was only about 5 feet tall at that time. It is now listed as the largest measured Arbutus 'Marina' in California and the United States National Champion.

This tree graces the nursery's main demostration garden, having grown rapidly since its planting into a specimen tree that in 2010 was measured at 41 feet tall by 55 feet wide at its widest. On October 1, 2013 this tree was officially added to the Official Registry of California Big Trees. The listing for the tree as the largest measured Arbutus 'Marina' in California is based on measurements taken by Randy Baldwin of San Marcos Growers and Jorge Aguilera of Arbor Services on July 24 2013 of 44 feet 10 inches tall with an average crown spread of 53 feet 5 inches wide (60 ft.10 in. at its widest) and a trunk circumference (measured between the basal burl and the branch collars) of 108 inches. On June 1, 2023 this tree was remeasured to update the Big Tree recordsand was found to be 50.5 feet tall, with and average crown width of 64.75 feet and a trunk circumference of 132 inches. If anyone knows of a bigger one, please let us know.

We encourage our customers who visit the nursery to take the time to visit this garden to see this beautiful tree.