SCIENTIFIC NAME
Umbellularia califomica. Derivation: The genus name umbellula is from the Latin meaning a small umbrella . or small umbel, describing the inflorescence. The specific epithet means the plant is "of California" in recognition of where it was discovered.

FAMILY
Lauraceae, the laurel family.

OTHER NAMES
California laurel, Oregon-myrtle, Pacific-myrtle, California-laurel, spice-tree, pepperwood, bay-laurel.

DISTRIBUTION
From the southwestern section of Oregon, southward along the coast to the southern border of California. Also in a narrow belt in central California for two-thirds of the state's length.

THE TREE
California laurel is a broadleaf evergreen easily distinguished by the strong, aromatic, pungent odor of its crushed leaves and its thick, dark reddish-brown, scaly bark. It may reach a height of 60 to 80 feet with a diameter or 2 to 3 feet and a straight clean trunk that is as much as 30 feet or more to the first branch. More commonly, however, the trunk is short and often divided near the ground.

THE TIMBER
The often variegated heartwood is yellowish-brown or olive and is not sharply defined from the wide, pale brown sapwood. When freshly cut, California laurel has a mild scent and taste. The luster is medium. Average reported specific gravity is 0.51 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air-dried weight of 39 pef. The texture is medium with straight to wavy grain. In Oregon, the wood is noted for its strikingly mottled pigment figures, varying from fine, delicate black lines to heavy splotches, occasionally streaked with gold and silver which are difficult to adequately describe.

SEASONING
Generally the seasoning of California laurel takes years of painstaking care to bring out the finest color effects. When green, it is often submerged in water in log form so it develops the darker colors so highly esteemed by woodworkers. Great care must be taken when seasoning to prevent checking and warping. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 2.8% radial, 8.1% tangential and 11.9% volumetric.

DURABILITY
The heartwood of California laurel is quite durable.

WORKABILITY
California laurel is easily worked with tools and takes an exquisitely high polish.

USES
This wood is almost entirely consigned to making wood novelties of all descriptions and sizes. The burls are sliced into veneer for cabinetwork. California laurel is claimed by many to be the finest wood obtainable for novelty articles and is shipped to many parts of the world for this purpose.

SUPPLIES
Small pieces of California laurel can be purchased from dealers at high prices. Lumber is very scarce. Burls are one of the rarest figures and supplies are quite limited. When available, the burl wood sells for the highest price of all American woods. A favorite place to find this wood is along Oregon beaches tangled with a variety of other driftwood.

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks