What hardiness zones is Umbellularia californica suitable for?

Umbellularia californica is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Umbellularia californica?

Umbellularia californica requires Full Sun.

How much water does Umbellularia californica need?

Umbellularia californica has Low water needs.

Umbellularia californica, California bay

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Broadleaf Evergreen Trees

Umbellularia californica

California bay

Lauraceae

Southwestern Oregon and California — Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Transverse Ranges

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height40-80 feet (12-24 m)

Width30-50 feet (9-15 m)

Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A large evergreen tree or multi-stemmed shrub reaching 40-80 feet (12-24 m) tall and 30-50 feet (9-15 m) wide at maturity in open settings, though often smaller in cultivation. The trunk is typically 12-30 inches (30-76 cm) in diameter with grayish-brown bark that develops scaly plates with age. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped to elliptic, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, thick and leathery, glossy medium to dark green, and extremely aromatic when crushed, releasing a pungent camphor-eucalyptus scent that can cause headaches in sensitive individuals when inhaled at close range. Small yellowish-green flowers appear in dense umbel-like clusters in December through March. Fruits are olive-like drupes, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, ripening from green to purplish-black in fall. Growth rate is slow to moderate, with 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) of annual growth. Trees are long-lived, reaching 200+ years in native habitats. The shallow, aggressive root system can damage nearby hardscape. In multi-stemmed form, plants sucker from the base and form thickets if not managed.

Native Range

Native to southwestern Oregon and California, from the Umpqua Valley south through the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Transverse Ranges to San Diego County. Found in mixed-evergreen forests, riparian corridors, and canyons from sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a shade tree in parks, large lots, and native restoration sites where its mature size can be accommodated. The multi-stemmed form functions as a large screen or windbreak at 15-20 foot (4.5-6 m) spacing. Leaves are sometimes used as a culinary substitute for bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), though the flavor is substantially more pungent and should be used sparingly.

How to Identify

Identified by lance-shaped, leathery, glossy green leaves 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long that release a potent camphor-eucalyptus scent when crushed — noticeably stronger than culinary bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). Yellowish-green flowers appear in small umbel-like clusters from winter through early spring. Olive-shaped drupes, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, ripen from green to purplish-black. Bark is grayish-brown, developing scaly plates on older trunks.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 80'

Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

WinterSpring

Flowers from December through March, with peak bloom in January and February. Individual flower clusters last 2-3 weeks; total bloom period extends 8-12 weeks across the winter-to-spring transition. Flowers are wind- and insect-pollinated. Fruits develop over the following summer and ripen from green to purplish-black by September through November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green

Foliage Description

Glossy medium to dark green, leathery, strongly aromatic

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 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

loamclaysandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-25 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply every 2-3 weeks during the first two growing seasons. Once established, plants are drought-tolerant and typically require no supplemental irrigation in areas receiving 20+ inches (50+ cm) of annual rainfall. Tolerates a wide range of soil types but grows most vigorously in deep, moist, well-drained soils. Site with adequate space; the mature canopy and root system extend well beyond the drip line. In residential settings, allow 25-35 feet (7.6-10.7 m) from structures and hardscape to avoid root damage. Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) infects this species, which serves as a primary host and spore producer; leaves develop necrotic lesions but trees typically survive while spreading the pathogen to susceptible oaks. Aphids may colonize new growth in spring.

Pruning

Prune to shape or raise the canopy in late winter through early spring before new growth begins. Remove lower limbs as desired to create clearance beneath the canopy, cutting to the branch collar. To maintain as a single-trunked tree, remove basal suckers annually in early spring. Multi-stemmed specimens can be thinned by removing the weakest stems at ground level. Wear gloves and avoid prolonged inhalation of crushed leaf volatiles during pruning.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic