laurel of the ancients. The common name for the California laurel in Oregon 

 is myrtle. The &quot;black myrtle&quot; of the millmen is produced by sinking logs in 

 water to improve the color of the wood for furniture and interior finish. 



California laurel is a handsome tree in cultivation, but should be planted 

 under advantageous conditions, since it tends to become top-heavy and is 

 liable to be blown down. The trees are apt to develop several leaders, but if 

 kept to a single leader it forms a fine pyramid and makes a splendid tree. 

 No evergreen tree is better adapted for forming groups of dense foliage if given 

 a suitable place. In the hot interior valleys it is apt to be attacked by scale, 

 and, on that account, should be given a shady situation and plenty of water 

 during the dry season. 



CAMPHOR TREE 



The camphor tree (Cinnamonum camphora) is a native of China and 

 Japan which has become so thoroughly naturalized in California as to be 

 considered a genuine &quot;old timer.&quot; It is one of the most popular ornamental 

 trees in southern California, where it is a favorite evergreen for street planting, 

 due to its handsome, dense foliaged crown. 



The leaves are bright green, highly polished, and throughout the summer 

 give the tree an appearance of freshness. The new foliage is very attractive 

 in its reddish-pink splendor at the tips of the branches. The mature form is 

 dome shaped, the trees rarely exceeding forty feet in height. Good growth 

 can be secured by giving the trees care, but if they are neglected they will 

 become stunted and irregular in shape. 



The camphor tree is not confined to southern California, but thrives in 

 many sections of the central and northern part of the state, where it displays 

 quite a degree of immunity from frost at low elevations. It lends itself to 

 wide parkings on city streets and makes a handsome shade and ornamental 

 tree on lawns. Like most other evergreen trees, there is some dropping of 

 leaves throughout the year, but not enough to cause an excessive litter. 



The camphor of commerce is extracted from the wood, bark and leaves 

 of this tree, and there is a distinct odor of camphor to the leaves which is 

 brought out when they are crushed in the hand. 



(56) 



