Category Archives: Wild Plants

Arbutus Bark – 2008

The paper thin bark of the Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) or Madrona tree.

Here in British Columbia we call this tree Arbutus but by the time you hit southern Oregon it starts to be called Madrona. As kids we were told that we would get wood ticks from playing under them so we had an uncomfortable relationship with Arbutus. We later learned there was no truth to the story though ticks might like the dry, grassy areas that Arbutus tend to frequent. 

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