Umbellularia spp.

California bay

Lauraceae California and Oregon

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade – Full Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Umbellularia spp. is a genus in the laurel family (Lauraceae) with a single species, the California bay (Umbellularia californica), native to the coastal ranges and foothills of California and Oregon. It is an evergreen tree 30-100 feet (9-30 m) tall, sometimes a multi-stemmed shrub on exposed sites, with a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are leathery, lance-shaped, and 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, deep green and strongly aromatic when crushed, releasing a pungent, spicy scent. Small yellow-green flowers cluster in the leaf axils in winter and early spring, followed by rounded green fruits that ripen purple, each a thin-fleshed drupe enclosing a single large seed. The wood is hard and is worked for furniture and turnery, and the dried leaves are used as a stronger-flavoured substitute for bay laurel in cooking. Crushing the foliage and inhaling its vapour can trigger headaches in some people. The tree tolerates drought, varied soils, and shade once established.

Native Range

Native to the Pacific coast of North America, in the coast ranges, valleys, and Sierra Nevada foothills of California and southwestern Oregon.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a shade, screen, and specimen tree in mild-winter regions, and clipped as a tall hedge. The aromatic dried leaves are used as a culinary seasoning, and the wood for crafts and turnery.

How to Identify

Evergreen tree with leathery, lance-shaped leaves that give off a pungent, spicy scent when crushed. Small yellow-green flowers form in axillary clusters in winter and early spring. Rounded fruits ripen from green to purple, each holding one large seed in thin flesh.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 100'

Width/Spread20' - 50'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs in winter and early spring, roughly December to April. The small yellow-green flowers open in clusters along the shoots and draw early insects. Fruits develop through summer and ripen purple by autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

California bay grows in full sun to deep shade in a wide range of soils, from moist streambanks to dry, rocky slopes. It tolerates drought once established but grows faster and taller on deeper, moister ground. Plants are propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily, or from cuttings with more difficulty. Growth is slow to moderate, and old trees develop broad, dense crowns. The species is a carrier of the pathogen behind sudden oak death, which it tolerates while spreading spores to nearby oaks.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead, crossing, or low branches in late winter. The tree resprouts strongly from the base and stump, so it tolerates hard cutting and coppicing where a smaller form is wanted.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Tree