What’s in a Name? Madrona Bay Designs
People often ask me how I came up with the name for my business. Two questions usually pop up, so I thought I’d take a moment to answer them.
1. What exactly is a Madrona?
A Madrona is a tree – my favorite tree, in fact. It is the only broadleaf evergreen native to the Pacific Northwest. The name varies, depending on the region. In British Columbia it is known as the Arbutus. In Oregon and California, it is called the Madrone. It is sometimes referred to as the Strawberry Tree due to the bright red fruit it produces in great abundance each fall. The fruit remains on the tree during the winter months, providing food for many wildlife species.
The Madrona is a showstopper of a tree, a bright splash of color among swaths of tall conifers. Its curving trunk and sinuous limbs sport vibrant orange bark that sheds annually, peeling away in sheets and curls to reveal a smooth new layer of pale green. The round limbs are often contorted, with tangled branches reaching up to support a wide crown of deep green leaves.
Visitors often wonder about this seemingly tropical tree surrounded by upright evergreens. They are not alone. Naturalist John Muir thought the tree resembled a lost wanderer from the magnolia groves of the south. Early settlers shared this opinion, which explains why one popular Seattle neighborhood bears the name Magnolia.
I was fortunate to grow up with a large and very fine Madrona in my back yard. My siblings and I did a fair bit of grumbling when we had to rake leaves in the summer heat, but the beauty and shade it provided more than compensated for our labor. My father built a fort for us at the top of the wide trunk and attached a zip line, much to our delight. I spent many hours each summer clambering up and swooping down, surrounded by excited whoops from siblings, cousins, and neighborhood friends.
Madrona wood is prized by woodworkers because of its character and rich color. Burls often grow at the base of the tree, producing unique grain patterns. It is comparable to oak in hardness and is highly sought after for use in hand-turned bowls and fine furniture, as well as inlay and veneer. It can be difficult to source outside the Pacific Northwest, but well worth the effort.
2. Is Madrona Bay a real place?
Image via Pinterest User
Absolutely. Madrona Bay is located on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is surrounded by the Salish Sea, between Vancouver Island and the lower mainland. The island offers abundant natural beauty and is home to a thriving community of artists. There are endless opportunities for both land and sea adventures and the Salt Springs Arts Council sponsors a wide variety of workshops throughout the year. I look forward to the time when travel restrictions are lifted, and we can once again freely visit our neighbors to the north.
Like many entrepreneurs, I spent a good deal of time pondering different names for my new venture. There were many things to consider, but I was looking for a personal connection.
The bottom line? Madrona Bay Designs feels like home.
