A 



U6 THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF WOOD. 



Madrona, Madrona Laurel. Arbutus menzicsii Pursh. 



Nomenclature. (Sudworth.) 



Madrona, Madrona Laurel Madrone-tree, Manzanita 



(Gal., Oreg.). (Oreg., Cal.). 



Laurel, Laurelwood, Madrone. Madrove (Cal.). 



Locality. 



Pacific coast from British Columbia to southern California. 



Features of Tree. 



Fifty to seventy-five feet in height, occasionally higher. Two 

 to four feet in diameter. Straight well-formed trunk. Ever- 

 green foliage. A shrub in the South. 



Color, Appearance, or Grain of Wood. 



Thick heartwood reddish, thin sapwood slightly pink. Close- 

 grained; numerous and conspicuous medullary rays 



Structural Qualities of Wood. 



Heavy, hard, strong, checks badly in seasoning. 



Representative Uses of Wood. 



Largely for gunpowder, charcoal, also furniture. 



Weight of Seasoned Wood in Pounds per Cubic Foot. 



43- 

 Modulus of Elasticity. 



1,190,000. 

 Modulus of Rupture. 



12,000. 

 Remarks. 



A beautiful ornamental tree. The attractive wood is seldom 

 seen save locally. This tree has been confused with the Laurel, 

 Madrona or Mexican Madrona (Arbutus xalapensis) also called 

 the Manzanita, and with California species of the genus Arc- 

 tostaphylos from which Manzanita wood is derived. 



The name Manzanita is somewhat loosely used to designate a hard, heavy, 

 close-grained, rich, reddish brown wood that lends itself to various trinkets, as 

 cuff buttons, rulers, checkers and the like, seen in California curio stores. Large 

 sized pieces are rare and long pieces practically unknown. Most Manzanita wood 

 is probably derived from Arctostaphylos pungens, Arctostaphylos tomentosa and 

 Arctostaphylos glauca. 



The China or China-berry (Melia azedarach) of Louisiana and other southern 

 States is sometimes, as in California, known as the Umbrella tree and elsewhere, 

 as in Europe, as the Bead tree and Pride of India. The short, straight trunk 

 merges abruptly into numerous branches radiating outward like the ribs of an 

 umbrella. The peculiar form, rapid development and thick handsome foliage 

 cause the tree to be used in southern landscapes. The pits of the white (china) 

 berries are sometimes used as beads. The handsome wood suggests mahogany 

 and could doubtless have place in furniture and decoration. 



