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CASCARA BUCKTHORN (Rhamnus purshiana)
Other names: Cascara, chittum, shittum, shittumwood, bearberry, bearwood

VERY POOR

This small tree is found in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The cascara seldom exceeds 8" diameter, is thin barked, with soft wood, and a life expectancy of only 40 or 50 years maximum. The tree is commonly peeled for its bark, used in making laxatives. Commercial peelers usually leave some bark near the base of the tree, the peeled tree dies and then stools out into a new clump of cascara. A cascara clump may be a clue to the position of an original bearing tree but this has not been proven for no original cascara bearing tree has ever been recovered. The wood decays immediately once on the ground. 

Do not use cascara for a bearing tree. Any reasonably sound Douglas-fir or cedar stump would be a much better accessory to a corner.