Manzanita trees grow in the western US and Mexico and can range from low growing ground covers to small trees. Manzanita is considered by many to be useless brush but these plants have more uses than most people who live around them have ever imagined.

The name manzanita is Spanish and translates to “little apple”. This name comes from the small berries that grow on this plant that resemble small apples. These berries are used by wildlife for food and are also edible for humans. Native Americans used manzanita berries for food and today some people still eat the berries or crush them to make tea,

The leaves of manzanita plants were also used by Native Americans for medicines and antiseptics. The leaves were also smoked as a tobacco substitute or mixed with tobacco if their tobacco supplies were low.

Today the branches are prized by bird owners for bird perches and bird toys. Some exotic birds are sensitive to chemicals in some types of wood but manzanita is not toxic to them. It is also a very hard wood that is difficult for birds like parrots to chew them apart. The natural branches give the birds a varied perching surface that helps exercise their feet and legs.

Manzanita grows into shapes that makes its branches a popular choice for making center pieces, wedding trees and other decorations. The shape of the branches can look like miniature trees or bonsais. The intricate branches may look delicate but the wood is strong and can hold up to heavy ornaments and decorations.

Aquarium owners also prize manzanita wood because of its beauty and its physical and chemical properties. Being chemically inert, manzanita wood is safe for aquariums with both aquatic and terrestrial life. It resists decay and will sink in water after soaking for a while.

The trees themselves are beautiful and drought tolerant, making them good for landscaping in dry climates.

Learn more about manzanita branches and where to buy manzanita.