THE LAUREL FAlVnLY 1«7 



As in many other instances, European gardeners have 

 led in the appreciation of this American ornamental tree. 

 However, New England has planted it freely in parks and 

 gardens, and popularity will follow wherever it becomes 

 known. Its natural distribution is from southern Penn- 

 sylvania to Florida, and west to Arkansas and Texas. 

 In cultivation it is hardy and flourishes far north of its 

 natural range. No garden that can have a fringe tree 

 should be without it. Fortunately its wood is negligible 

 in quantity, and the temptation to chop down these trees 

 does not come to the ignorant man with an axe. Whoever 

 goes to the woods in May is rewarded for many miles of 

 tramping if he comes upon a "snow-flower tree" in the 

 height of its blooming season, led perhaps by its delicate 

 fragrance when the httle tree is overshadowed by the 

 deep green of the forest cover. It is an experience that 

 will not be forgotten soon. 



THE LAUREL FAIVIILY 



The laurel family, a large group of aromatic trees and 

 shrubs found chiefly in tiie tropics, includes with our 

 sassafras, laurels, and bays the cinnamon and camphoi 

 trees. 



California Laurel 



TJmheUnria Califomica, Nutt. 



Tlie California laurel climbs the western slopes of the 

 Sierra Nevada from the forests of southwestern Oregon 

 to the San Bernardino range near Los Angeles. "Up 

 North" it is called pepperwood. It is a lover of wet soil. 



