Arbutus
Arbutus, also Madrona, Madrone, Pacific Madrone
Native to the Pacific coast of northern USA and southern Canada, this broadleaf evergreen tree can reach heights of 90 feet (27 m).
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Pacific Madrone (Wikipedia)
“…Native American people ate the berries, but because the berries have a high tannin content and are correspondingly astringent, they more often either chewed them or made them into a cider. Many mammal and bird species feed off the berries…[ ] Mule Deer will also eat the young shoots when the trees are regenerating after fire. It is also important as a nest site for many birds, and in mixed woodland it seems to be chosen for nestbuilding disproportionately to its numbers. The timber distorts during drying and is not much used, but an attractive veneer can be made from it. Recently, it has become more popular in the Pacific Northwest as a flooring material, due to the durability of the wood, and the warm color after finishing. Mostly the wood is sought for its heating capabilities since it burns long and hot in fireplaces.
Conservation
Although drought tolerant and relatively fast growing, the Pacific Madrone is currently declining throughout most of its range. One likely cause is fire control: under natural conditions, the madrone depends on intermittent naturally occurring fires to reduce the conifer overstory. Mature trees survive fire, and can regenerate more rapidly after fire than the Douglas-firs with which they are often associated. They also produce very large numbers of seeds, which sprout following fire. Since the arrival of Europeans in North America, fire suppression has resulted in a reduction of the range of the Pacific Madrone.
Increasing development pressures in Pacific Madrone habitat have also contributed to a decline in the number of mature specimens. This tree is extremely sensitive to alteration of the grade or drainage near the root crown…”
Arbutus Uses and symbolism
The Arbutus was important to the Straits Salish people of Vancouver Island, who used arbutus bark and leaves to create medicines for colds, stomach problems, and tuberculosis, and as the basis for contraceptives. The tree also figured into certain myths of the Straits Salish.
The fruit is edible but has minimal flavour and is not widely eaten. In Portugal the fruit is sometimes distilled (legally or not) into a potent brandy known as medronho.
Arbutus is a great fuelwood tree since it burns hot and long. Many Pacific Northwest states in the United States use the wood of A. menziesii primarily as a heat source, as the wood holds no value in the production of homes since it doesn’t grow in straight timbers.
Myths
According to the Straits Salish, an anthropogenic form of pitch would go fishing, but return to shore before it got too hot. One day he was too late getting back to shore and melted from the heat and several anthropogenic trees rushed to get him – the first was Douglas Fir, who took most of the pitch, the Grand Fir received a small portion, and the Madrone received none – which is why they say it still has no pitch.
Also, according to the Great Flood legends of several tribes in the northwest, the madrone helped people survive by providing an anchor on top of a mountain. Because of this the Saanich people do not burn madrone out of thanks for saving them.
