Adaptable and easy to produce , California bay laurel is aboriginal to the West Coast and the only tree diagram of theLauraceaefamily found in the western United States . It grows best in full sun to fond spook and can grow as much as 4 feet each class in the right conditions . The evergreen yield fragrant xanthous flower in late winter and early spring , which are followed by uneatable olive - like fruits that draw in bird and squirrels .
The hardwood of the California bay laurel tree diagram — often referred to as myrtlewood — is frequently used in knock down , furniture , and cabinetwork . It is prize for its durability , color , and striking metric grain pattern .
The shiny green leaves of the bay laurel are highly redolent and release pungent oil color when they are crushed or tear . They are not , however , the origin of the bay leaves typically used for preparation ( a.k.a . , sweet bay or true bay ( Laurus nobilis ) . In fact , contact lens with California Laurus nobilis leaves may make skin irritation .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Where to Plant California Bay Laurel
California bay laurel is a big option for many areas of the landscape painting in hardiness zones 7 - 9 . It can grow on rocky bluffs , mountain slopes , protected vale , mysterious ravines , and deep canyons — but the best increase happens in well - run out , well - water territory where the tree can get full sunlight or fond shade .
educate it as a hedge for a pleasing touch sensation of evergreen plant foliage or use it as a tone tree in a coastal garden or along the edge of a watercourse . You could also add it to an open landscape painting or Mungo Park to pull out in wildlife as birds and lowly mammals enjoy using the California laurel as a source of nutrient and shelter .
If your garden space is circumscribed , you’re able to still savor the bright , fragrant foliage of the California bay tree Stan Laurel by planting it in a container to enjoy it as a plushy patio works .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
How and When to Plant California Bay Laurel
In early spring , grok a cakehole 3 to 4 times larger than your California bay laurel ’s root ball . Remove the tree diagram from its greenhouse container or burlap wrapping and loosen the roots as much as possible without interrupt the tooth root ball . Place the tree diagram in the hole with the prettiest side facing the front of the take in expanse . satiate in the hole with adequate percentage compost and native dirt . pack the grunge down to remove air pockets and water the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree deeply . If you are institute multiple tree diagram , put them at least 20 feet aside .
California Bay Laurel Care Tips
California laurels boom well in their native Pacific Northwest climates but are otherwise quite adaptable . In fact , in the correct conditions , they can acquire as prominent as 70 feet tall and broad . They also leave a welcome home ground and food for thought source for razzing and other wildlife .
Light
California bay laurel develop best in full sunlight to partial shade . When planted in full sun and watered regularly , it can develop as much as 4 feet each class . It will grow more slowly in partial subtlety , but it is nonetheless a lovely plant life .
Soil and Water
In their native home ground , California bay laurel are often found growing in coastal forest and around nearby stream and ponds . So , it ’s no surprisal they prefer moist , well - draining soil with a neutral to acidic pH ( 5.0 - 8.0 ) . Beyond that , Umbellularia californicagrows well in loamy , sandy , or clay soils and can put up short periods of dryness . drouth conditions , however , may cause the tree diagram to die back .
raw seedlings require moist soil to acquire , so even watering may be necessary . Once install , your California bay wreath should not call for supplemental lacrimation ( beyond what nature provides ) unless you know extravagant warmth and dry weather .
Temperature and Humidity
True to their name , California bay laurels jazz the West Coast mood — sooner when temperatures stay between 50 and 84 degrees . They can , however , tolerate temperatures as scummy as -13 degrees Fahrenheit and as high-pitched as 118 degree .
The California bay laurel is also no stranger to humidity and mature comfortably in cool , humid maritime climates .
Fertilizer
Established , older California laurels need no fertilization , but younger tree diagram may benefit from the occasional software of fertiliser with added phosphorus ( 0 - 20 - 0 ) . practice it according to the package instructions at the time of planting and at least once during the growing time of year of the first pair of years .
Pruning
California bay award can grow unmanaged but may do good from light pruning — especially after the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has produce enough to have some summit and density in the upper limb . Just before the coldest wintertime temperatures arrive , off any damage , sensationalistic , or beat leaf and encourage goodly growth by removing engorged or track arm .
If you favour a hedging over a tree , you could also train your California alcove laurel into a hedge form with occasional shaping and pruning .
Pests and Problems
The California bay laurel is n’t often unhinge by insects , but leaf splodge miners , thrips , beetle borers , and cushion musical scale may be an publication in some domain .
California bay laurel tree diagram are , however , considered one of the primary hosts of sudden oak last ( SOD ) , a fungus - like plant pathogen that is suspected of killing countless trees in California and Oregon . It is a communicable soil - carry disease stimulate by the pathogenPhytophthora ramorumand it infect numerous tree species including oaks , maples , fir , yews , and redwood Tree among others . Watch for large cankers in the bark — often with a dim or reddish ooze — as well as leaf spots and twig dieback . While you are at it , keep an eye out for white - mottled guff , honey fungus , and anthracnose .
How to Propagate California Bay Laurel
It is possible to pass around California bay laurel from come , but the process is unreliable and requires patience . you could glean the seeds from the fruit husks of a healthy Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in later fall or early wintertime . The ejaculate should be planted straightaway or salt away in a nerveless , moist environment ( like a icebox ) until spring or as long as 6 months . Whether you are planting or storing your seeds , it ’s knowing to crack their nutty control surface to allay germination . you may use a hammer or nutcracker to do this but be careful not to bang up them .
To develop the seeds , place your cracked seeds in a moldable bag filled with equal parts moist perlite and sphagnum moss peat . add together some potting mix and place the bag in a refrigerator for 3 to 4 months . This will mime the wintertime period needed for stratification . When the cum begin to germinate , conjure each seed about 1 inch inscrutable ( and take root down ) into a tree diagram - growing container ( 4 x 4 x 14 ) filled with upright quality potting mix . set the container in an area with full to partial sun and keep the land moist ( but not wet ) until the seedling is ready to be transplant alfresco ( about 1 year ) . As take , repot your growing California bay laurel into increasingly larger containers .
Some lucky plant expert have been able-bodied to propagate California bay laurel via softwood cuttings , but research is still needed on how to do so reliably . If you would like to try , take thinning in the summertime when the tree diagram ’s outgrowth are unripened and pliable . Snip an 8- to 10 - inch - retentive section from the tree and remove all but the top few leaves . Dip the cutting confidential information into rooting endocrine and delve a root - size hole in a prepared container sate with moist , coarse Baroness Dudevant . Put the do by cutting into the hole and press to slay atmosphere pouch in the sand . pass over the pot in a sealed plastic bag and set it in a bright , warm location . After about a month , check to see if your cutting has anchored itself in the sand . If it has , you could remove the plastic bag and let it keep on to grow for another calendar week or two before transplanting it outdoors .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Types of California Bay Laurel
Umbellularia californica var. californica.
TheUmbellulariagenus contains one widely known species , Umbellularia californicavar.californica . It is found in both Oregon and California ( but can be develop in interchangeable climates).Zones 7 - 9
Umbellularia californica var. fresnensis
There are also a few lesser - seen varieties , includingUmbellularia californicavar.fresnensis , which is see primarily in Fresno , California , and features white down on the bottom of the leaf and on the blossom panicle and branches . zone 7 - 9
Umbellularia californica var. pendula
Another rare California laurel variety isUmbellularia californicavar.pendula , which feature more weeping branches and stem . Zones 7 - 9
Companion Plants for California Bay Laurel
Manzanita
Manzanitais an evergreen shrub that typically grows from 6 to 12 feet marvellous in zone 8 - 10 ( although it can grow taller ) . It is know for its colorful violent , purple , and gray barque as well as the pink and bloodless flower that eviscerate in hummingbirds and bees on a cheery day . Manzanita is drought resistant and thrives best in full Sunday or part refinement , so it ’s a great addition to the understory of a California laurel or a stand of other magniloquent trees like Douglas fir tree or redwoods .
Serviceberry
Serviceberries , which are a congener of pink wine , bloom just as the earth begin to thaw each spring . They earned their name because their bloodless , pinkish , or jaundiced efflorescence often arrived just as the gravediggers of former were able to come out dig graves abide by the chill of winter . After the flowers fade , serviceberries exhibit clusters of edible deep bolshie to empurpled berries that can be used to make jellies and jams . Serviceberry shrubs are audacious in zones 2 - 9 and prefer moist , well - drained , loamy land and full sunlight to partial shade .
Oregon Grape Holly
Oregon Grape Holly(Berberis aquifolium ) is native to North America and thrives in the shadier spots of your landscape . The low - maintenance shrub is useful as an accent industrial plant , base plant , or shrub borderline . It grows quickly and dumbly enough to be used as a concealment fence or native fence , but may need direction in some areas to prevent it from down up where it is n’t wanted . Oregon grape holly is hardy in zones 5 - 9 and , like the California Stan Laurel does good in moist , well - drain acidic to neutral grunge .
Douglas Fir
Douglas firis a classic Pacific Northwest evergreen that can produce to well over 100 invertebrate foot grandiloquent in zones 5 - 7 . Like the California laurel wreath , it prefers full sun to part shade and slightly acidic , wet - retentive , well - enfeeble soil . Once established , it is humiliated maintenance and ask little pruning . It is also a favorite for Christmas trees and vacation decorating .
Frequently Asked Questions
No . The bay give we typically add to our favourite stew recipes originate from theLaurus nobilistree ( sometimes known only as bay laurel or genuine laurel wreath ) , a native to the Mediterranean region . The leaves of the California bay laurel have more powerful chemical substance properties and the USDA suggest against culinary function .
If continue healthy , this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can live for 200 years or more .
Umbellularia californica . ( California bay , California Laurel , California - laurel , Myrtle - wood , Oregon - myrtle , Pacific - myrtle , Pepperwood , Spice - tree)| North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox .
Home . Sudden Oak Death . July 24 , 2024 . access August 2 , 2024 . https://www.suddenoakdeath.org/.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
