SelecTree: Tree Detail

Photo Locations: UC Davis Arboretum - Davis, CA, UC Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA, Hoyt Arboretum - Portland, OR, Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden - Berkeley, CA, Los Angeles County Arboretum - Arcadia, CA, Quail Botanic Garden - Encinitas, CA, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden - Claremont, CA

General Notes

Likes ample water, but tolerates drought. Although not used as extensively as Grecian laurel, Umbellularia's leaves are used in soups and stews as seasoning. Sudden Oak Death manifested as leaf spot.

Has fragrant Bark and Leaf.

Native to Southwestern Oregon and California mountain ranges.

An Umbellularia californica in Mendocino County is registered as a California Big Tree. It measures 108 feet high, with a trunk circumference of 536 inches and a crown spread of 119 feet.

Family: Lauraceae

Additional Common Names

CALIFORNIA LAUREL, CALIFORNIA BAY, MYRTLE

Tree Characteristics

Erect or Spreading and requires ample growing space.

Oval, Rounded or Umbrella Shape.

Has Evergreen foliage.

Height: 60 - 75 feet.

Width: 60 - 75 feet.

Growth Rate: 12 to 24 Inches per Year.

Longevity Greater than 150 years.

Leaves Lanceolate, Glossy Medium to Dark Green, No Change, Evergreen.

Yellow. Flowers in Spring. Has perfect flowers (male and female parts in each flower).

Brown, Purple, Yellow or Mostly Green Drupe, Medium (0.50 - 1.50 inches), fruiting in Summer.

Bark Dark Brown, Fissured.

Shading Capacity Rated as Dense in Leaf.

Litter Issue is Dry Fruit.

Tree Site Conditions & Constraints

Sunset Zones 4 - 9 and 14 - 24.

USDA Hardiness Zones 7 - 9.

Exposure Full Sun to Full Shade.

Moist to Dry Soil.

Drought tolerant.

Clay, Loam or Sand Texture.

Highly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline Soil pH.

Salinity Tolerance is Moderate on Coast.

Seaside Tolerance is Good in Moderate Zone.

Pests & Disease Information

Resistant to Verticillium. Susceptible to Beetle Borers, Leaf Miner, Cottony Cushion Scale and Beetle Leaves, Armillaria, Sudden Oak Death, Anthracnose, White Mottled Rot and Sooty Mold.

Health, Safety & Environmental Concerns

Branch Strength Rated as Strong.

Root Damage Potential Rated as Moderate.

Allergy Health Hazard.

Biogenic Emissions considered Moderate.

Fire Resistance is Conflicting.

Cite this tree:
SelecTree. "Umbellularia californica Tree Record." 1995-2019. Dec 15, 2019.
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/umbellularia-californica >

SelecTree Nursery Connection Map
Cal Poly / ESRI