I picked up a couple of cool pieces that have some potential for nice grain as well as just a nice, well aged log has been quartered and has a great shape for cutting plateau style pieces.
Here's what my research has turned up:
- Madrona, also known as Arbutus, is a genus of at least 14 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, and is native to warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean, western Europe, and North America.
North American members of the genus are called Madrones, from the Spanish name madrono. The European species are called Strawberry Trees because the fruits resemble strawberrys. The name "Madrone" is typically used south of the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California, and the name "Madrona" is used north of the Siskiyou Mountains. The name "Arbutus" is typically used north of the Canadian border.
A species of Madrona, known as the Arbutus unedo tree, makes up part of the coast of arms (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) of the city of Madrid, Spain. A statue of a bear eating the fruit of the Madrono tree is located in the center of the city, Puerta del Sol. The image also appears on various public emblems, taxi cabs, and other city infrastructure.
The Madrona was important to the Straits Salish people of Vancouver Island, who used the bark and leaves to create medicines for colds, stomach problems, and tuberculosis, and as the basis for contraceptives. The tree was also connected to certain myths of the area.
It is very low in pitch, having almost none.
Anyone use it for pipes??