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Umbellularia
californica |
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Family: Lauraceae |
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California Laurel |
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Umbellularia
californica
is the only species in this genus. Its name is derived from the Latin umbellula, a small umbel,
describing the flower cluster (inflorescence).
Umbellularia
californica-Acacia,
Acacia Burl, Balm-of-heaven, Bay, Bay Laurel, Bay Tree, Black Laurel, Black
Myrtle, Cajeput, Cajeput-tree, California Bay, California Bay Tree, California
Laurel, California Olive, California Sassafras, Californian Olive, Laurel,
Mountain Hemlock, Mountain Laurel, Myrtle, Myrtle Tree, Myrtly, Oregon Mirt,
Oregon Myrtle, Oreodaphne, Pacific Myrtle, Peppermintwood, Pepperwood, Spice
Tree, White Laurel, White Myrtle, Yellow Laurel, Yellow Myrtle
Distribution
Pacific coast
region of southwest Oregon, south mostly in Coast Ranges to southern California
and in the Sierra Nevada to central California.
The Tree
This tree grows
to 80 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. California Laurel grows at
elevations from sea level to over 6,000 feet. It is tolerant of various soil
types and conditions, and grows in many habitats from flatlands to mountain
slopes, the best conditions being alluvial deposits from streams and rivers. It
grows in association with coastal redwood, sequoia, Port Orford cedar and
Douglas fir. They are slow growing and have multiple trunks in poorer soils.
The leaves are used by spice companies as "bay" leaves. The leaves
are evergreen and glossy, while the flowers are small and yellowish green in
color. It produces spherical purplish fruits. This species is planted as an
ornamental shrub in warmer climates of the south & west. The small twigs
are pale green, turning reddish brown over time. The bark is a dark red brown
and sometimes an inch thick.
The Wood
General
The sapwood of
California Laurel is thick and whitish to light brown, while the heartwood is
light brown to grayish brown to an olive color, with dark streaks. The wood has
a strong, spicy odor. It darkens when soaked in water.
Mechanical
Properties (2-inch standard)
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Compression |
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Specific gravity |
MOE x106 lbf/in2 |
MOR lbf/in2 |
Parallel lbf/in2 |
Perpendicular lbf/in2 |
WMLa in-lbf/in3 |
Hardness lbf |
Shear lbf/in2 |
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Green |
0.51 |
0.72 |
6,600 |
3,020 |
800 |
16.8 |
1000 |
1,270 |
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Dry |
0.55 |
0.94 |
8,000 |
5,640 |
1,400 |
8.2 |
1270 |
1,860 |
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aWML = Work to maximum load.
Reference (59). |
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Drying and
Shrinkage
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Type of shrinkage |
Percentage of
shrinkage |
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0% MC |
6% MC |
20% MC |
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Tangential |
8.1 |
6.8 |
2.8 |
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Radial |
2.8 |
2.3 |
1.0 |
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Volumetric |
11.9 |
9.9 |
4.1 |
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References: 0% MC (59), |
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Kiln Drying
Schedulesa
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Stock |
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Condition |
4/4, 5/4, 6/4 |
8/4 |
10/4 |
12/4 |
16/4 |
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Standard |
T6-A4? |
T5-A3 |
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aReferences
(6, 86). |
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Working
Properties: California Laurel is easily worked and takes a high polish.
Durability: The
heartwood is very durable.
Preservation:
No information available at this time.
Uses: Veneer
(burls for cabinetry), novelties, candle sticks, bowls, plates, woodenware,
turnery, furniture squares, cabinetwork, interior trim, used under the keel to
launch ships.
Toxicity: Can
be an irritant (64 & 105)
Additional
Reading and References Cited (in parentheses)
6. Boone, R.S.;
Kozlik, C.J.; Bois, P.J.; Wengert, E.M. 1988. Dry kiln schedules for commercial
woods-temperate and tropical. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-GTR-57. Madison, WI: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.
29. Elias, T.S.
1980. The complete trees of North America, field guide and natural history. New
York: van Nostrand Reinhold Company.
55. Little, Jr.,
E.L. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agric.
Handb. 541. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
U.S. Government Printing Office.
59. Markwardt,
L.J.; Wilson, T.R.C. 1935. Strength and related properties of woods grown in
the United States. Tech. Bull. 479. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service. U.S. Government Printing Office.
64. Mitchell,
J.; Rook, A. 1979. Botanical dermatology: plants and plant products injurious
to the skin. Vancouver, BC: Greenglass Ltd.
68. Panshin,
A.J.; de Zeeuw, C. 1980. Textbook of wood technology, 4th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
74. Record,
S.J.; Hess R.W. 1943. Timbers of the new world. New Haven, CT: Yale University
Press.
86. Simpson,
W.T. 1991. Dry kiln operator's manual. Ag. Handb. 188. Madison, WI: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.
90. Summitt, R.;
Sliker, A. 1980. CRC handbook of materials science. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
Inc. Vol. 4.
105. Woods, B.;
Calnan, C.D. 1976. Toxic woods. British Journal of Dermatology. 95(13): 1-97.