Common Names:   Madrone Pacific madrone Madrono Madrona Arbuti tree Coast madrone Purchase Madrone

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
The environmental status of Pacific madrone within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed.

Distribution
Pacific madrone is reported to be distributed on the Pacific Coast, from southwestern British Columbia south through Washington to western Oregon, and in the Coastal Ranges to south California. It is also found in the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California as well as on the Santa Cruz Island. The tree thrives on upland slopes and canyons, and is often found as an understory species in Oak and coniferous forests at elevations of 5000 to 6000 feet (1524 to 1829 m). The species is also reported to be occasionally planted in Great Britain.

Product Sources
Pacific madrone is reported to have little commercial value for lumber, although it is well suited for many applications including turned work, bowls, novelties and souvenirs. It is available in limited supplies in lumber form on the west coast of the United States. The burl of the tree, which is very popular for furniture work and marquetry, is reported to be scarce and very expensive when available.

Pacific madrone is reported to be the most plentiful hardwood in the Siskoyou Mountains and interior coast ranges of the Southwest subregion of Oregon. It is also reported to be the second most abundant hardwood in northern California, and is common in the Puget Sound and Olympic subregion in the state of Washington.

Tree Data
The tree is described as a tall and handsome evergreen with a reddish-brown trunk. It grows to heights of 20 to 80 ft (6 to 24 m), with trunk diameters of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm). Pacific madrone is described as one of the most beautiful broadleaf flowering evergreens.

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is whitish or cream colored with a pinkish cast.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is described as light pink to pale reddish-brown, sometimes with deep red spots. It has an irregular pattern of growth rings, which gives the wood a very decorative effect. The wood is reported to be similar to Apple (Malus ) in color.

Grain
Madrone is described as a hard and heavy wood with a fine grain that is generally straight to irregular.

Texture
The heavy wood has a fine, smooth and even texture. It has been compared to the texture of Pear.

Odor
There is no characteristic odor or taste.

Ease of Drying
Pacific madrone is reported to be very difficult to dry because it has a tendency to collapse. Green moisture content is reported to range from 68 to 93%, and the wood tends to shrink significantly more than other woods. Some recommended precautions to minimize excessive shrinkage and drying degrade include quartersawing, pre-steaming kiln charges, and closely-spaced stickering. Air-seasoning at a very slow rate has also been recommended before kiln drying to reduce degrade. Blue or purple streaks caused by chemical oxidation may stain the wood prior to kilning. The stains become apparent only after planing, and can be minimized by drying the material as soon as possible and by avoiding tight stacking of wet lumber.

Drying Defects
The timber is reported to warp and check rather easily. Shrinkage is rather high and the presence of wetwood may cause collapse. Tension wood, if present, can also cause uneven shrinkage. 

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to be very stable after kiln drying, with only small movement in service. 

T/R Ratio
2.40
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The timber is reported to have negligible natural resistance to decay. It is reported to be moderately resistant to attack by powder post and common furniture beetles.

Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is reported to be rather resistant to impregnation, but the sapwood is treatable.

Veneering Qualities
Some Pacific madrone logs are reported to slice into very decorative veneers that are suitable for paneling, cabinets, and furniture.

Blunting Effect
The wood is hard, and is reported to exert moderate blunting effect on cutting edges.

Cutting Resistance
Slow feeding rates have been recommended because of the high density. A hook angle of 20 degrees and a sharpness angle of 55 degrees have also been recommended for best results.

Planing
In spite of its hardness, Pacific madrone is reported to respond very well to machine tools in planing operations. Worked surfaces are reported to be relatively clean, and the wood is reported to rank the highest (least machining defects) of all the Pacific Northwest hardwoods in planing, shaping, boring, and turning properties.

Turning
Madrone is reported to have good turning properties. Surface scratching is reported to be a problem occasionally.

Boring
Boring characteristics are reported to be generally good.

Moulding
Pacific madrone is reported to respond well to moulding operations.

Gluing
The wood is reported to glue with some difficulty, but glued joints hold rather well. Curing or drying of glued joints should be carefully controlled to prevent gluelines from sinking in post-curing machining operations.

Nailing
Nail-holding qualities are reported to be good.

Screwing
The wood is reported to hold screws well.

Sanding
The timber is reported to sand easily to yield a smooth, clean surface.

Polishing
The wood is reported to polish to a shine that is close to that achieved in Holly.

Staining
The material is reported to accept various types of stains well. It is reported to accept dyes or transparent stains better than heavily pigmented stains, and the wood responds well to "ebonizing".

Steam Bending
Steam bending properties are reported to be moderate.

Response to Hand Tools
The wood responds well to hand tools.

Strength Properties
Pacific madrone is described as a compact and tough timber with high strength in bending and crushing, and moderate stiffness and shock resistance. The wood is reported to be one of the best sources of charcoal for gunpowder.