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MANZANITA

Arctostophylos spp.
Reportedly includes about 60 species, 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, apparently 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.

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web pics:


log sections


turning blocks


just listed as a burl, this is most likely a root burl


vase


bowls


root burl bowls


root burl dish and two vases