Arctostophylos spp. of the family Ericaeae. Reportedly includes about 60 species, not all in the genus Arctostophylos, the most prominent of which for wood turners are the following, which grow in the western areas of the USA and Mexico: A. andersonii, A. glauca, A. manzanita, A. pungens, A. pringlei, A. tomentos, A. uvaursis, and A. viscida
A very hard wood that grows as anything from a shrub to a very small tree (up to 20 feet high has been reported) and generally has very twisted branches and thus is not available as even small lumber.
It is widely used for parrot perches because of the hardness. Available (infrequently) for turning, especially the burl which generally grows on the root of the shrub/tree and is expensive when available. Generally the burl will have numerous voids and may include stones since it develops on the
root.
The wood is also used for smoking flavor in cooking in those locations where it is plentiful.
my samples:
The one sample plank that I have was donated to the site by Ira Matheny whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.
flat cut, quartersawn, end grain
common manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are avaiable for all 3 views
web pics:
log sections
turning blocks
scales
just listed as a burl, this is most likely a root burl
