Madrone

Native to the Pacific Northwest, running from the Oregon coast up through British Columbia, Madrone is as stunningly beautiful as it is interesting. While it’s species name, “menziesii,” honors the Scottish botanist Archibald Menzies, who discovered the tree in 1792 during the George Vancouver expedition, “Madrone” is the Spanish word for “strawberry,” which makes sense because the tree produces a reddish-orange berry. In the wild, Madrone trees also exude a strong honey smell that attracts bees and fruit-eating birds like waxwings and robins. 

As for visual appeal, Madrone Burl is off the charts. It exhibits a tremendous range of color that, overall, reads as mocha brown, but hits on burgundy reds, salmon pinks, and warm cream colors. And its captivating burl features many closely-packed clusters of knots and swirled grain patterns

A highly-prized decorative veneer, Madrone Burl tops many list for high-end furniture, cabinetry, automobile interiors, and flooring.

Species Distribution:

North America
California coast
Oregon coast
Washington state coast
British Columbia

Common / Alternative Names:

Pacific Madrone
Madrona
Arbutus

Janka Hardness:

1,460 lbf

Sustainability Status:

CITES Appendices: Not listed
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Not listed

See It In Use