I thought manzanita was a soft wood of the evergreen variety--or at least one that wouldn't smoke well. OTOH, I've seen sassafras on both use and DON'T USE lists. Off doin' the google...
and I've found this chart for smoking woods (That'll prove a useful search term, boys 'n' girls!!)
http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/Downloads_files/SmokingFlavorChart.pdfand this...
http://firewoodresource.com/buy-our-wood-products/manzanita-wood/And Mmmmeat--Kevin from Sierra Vista pointed out on another forum, that manzanita means little apple (Manzana), and says it's a fruit tree. He uses it quite often says it tastes like hickory but doesn't get bitter. He uses it all the time.
Pipe in, Kevin, if you see this!
dk