Pacific Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
Hardness
Hard and durable; stands up to wear and traffic.
Overview
A hard, fine-grained West Coast wood with a warm reddish tone, prized for turning and burl. Beautiful but notoriously unstable, it warps dramatically as it dries.
Commonly built
- Turned bowls
- Burl pieces
- Veneer
Appearance
Pale pinkish to reddish-brown, fine and even, with a subtle luster. Burl and figured pieces are spectacular and highly sought.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works to a smooth finish but moves and warps severely while drying, the main challenge. Dry slowly and expect distortion. Turns beautifully (often green). Burl is a turner's treasure.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pacific madrone panel moves roughly 0.71 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Pacific Madrone move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Pacific Madrone?
Pacific Madrone has a Janka hardness of 1460 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Pacific Madrone suitable for outdoor use?
Pacific Madrone is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Pacific Madrone to work with?
Pacific Madrone has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Pacific Madrone move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pacific madrone panel moves roughly 0.71 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used pacific madrone, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.