194 



The California Laurel 



By Vaughan MacCaughey, 

 Professor of Botany, College of Hawaii. 



In response to a request recently received at the College of 

 Hawaii concerning the wood of the California Laurel, the follow- 

 ing data was prepared. As this wood is one of the most valu- 

 able cabinet woods of Hawaii's chief source of lumber, and as it 

 is practically unknown in the Territory of Hawaii, the informa- 

 tion given below may be of general interest. 



The California Laurel is a member of the Laurel family, which 

 includes such trees as the Alligator Pear, Camphor, Cinnamon 

 and Sassafras. Its technical name is UmhcUidaria californica 

 Xuttall ; the generic name refers to the flower clusters, which 

 are little umbels. It is also known as Spice Tree, Pepper-wood 

 and "Oregon Myrtle." 



It is a tree of average size, under favorable conditions, how- 

 ever, attaining a height of 80-90 feet. Trees 100 feet high have 

 been recorded. It is sometimes tall and straight, but usually 

 divided near the ground into several large diverging stems At 

 high elevation (4000 feet) and in Southern California it is small 

 and is very frequently only a shrub. Jepson describes six forms : 

 typical, gregarious, pendulous, rockpile, dwarf and prostrate. 

 The last occurs along the sea-coasts. 



Its range extends along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to 

 Southern California ; it is common where it can obtain an abund- 

 ant supply of water. It is most common and of its largest size 

 in the- rich valleys of Southwestern Oregon, where it forms, with 

 the broad-leaved Maple, a considerable part of the forest growth. 



All parts of the tree are characterized by an aromatic, pungent, 

 volatile oil of spicy flavor and odor. The wood is the most valu- 

 able timber produced in the forest of the Pacific North America 

 for the interior finish of houses and for furniture. It is heavy, 

 hard, strong, compact, close-grained. The heartwood is light 

 rich brown ; the sapwood is lighter in color, thick, comprising 

 30-40 layers of annual growth. The ducts (sap-tubes) are fine 

 and evenly distributed ; the medullary rays are numerous and 

 delicate. The wood takes a high polish ; in manufacture it is used 

 for turned articles and is especially valued for furniture and in- 

 terior finish. For these latter purposes no other Pacific Coast 

 wood furnishes such luxurious patterns. The beautiful "Black 

 Myrtle" of Oregon is produced by sinking logs in water to im- 

 prove the color of the wood. 



