California bay laurel

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; tolerates deeper shade but develops a more open crown.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established trees tolerate dry summers, but grow better with occasional deep watering on dry sites.

Soil

Adaptable to clay, loam and sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate; prefers deep soil and tolerates acidic to alkaline conditions.

Height

40-80 ft (12-24 m), sometimes taller in favourable woodland conditions

Spread

30-60 ft (9-18 m)

Flowers

Small yellow-green flowers in clusters from late winter into spring.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, leathery, narrow oval leaves, dark green above and paler beneath, with a powerful spicy scent when crushed.

Growth

Moderate; faster with moisture and deep soil, slower on dry sites.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant
• Edible

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2.2 m)

2. After 1 year

   10 ft (3 m)

3. After 2 years

   12 ft (3.7 m)

4. After 3 years

   15 ft (4.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   20 ft (6.1 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Mildly toxic: may upset a stomach

Native to

the US

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply through the first two or three summers, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Mulch the root area with 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic material, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Avoid routine feeding; apply fertiliser only if poor growth and a soil test indicate a deficiency.
• Allow space for the mature crown and keep the tree well away from paving and buildings.
• In colder districts, plant in spring in a position sheltered from drying winds.

Pruning. Prune in late winter or early spring, after severe frost risk has passed, to remove dead, damaged or crossing branches and establish a sound framework. Avoid topping; use a qualified arborist for large limbs.

Pick healthy mature leaves as needed once the tree is established, using them fresh or drying them in an airy place. They are much stronger than ordinary culinary bay, so use a small amount and remove the whole leaf before serving.

Late winter

Check for storm damage and remove small dead or damaged branches when severe frost is unlikely.

Spring

Plant in colder areas, water thoroughly and mulch without covering the root flare.

Late spring

Inspect leaves and shoots for scale insects, sticky honeydew and unusual leaf lesions.

Summer

Deep-water young trees during dry spells; give established trees occasional water during prolonged drought if needed.

Summer

Pick mature leaves for drying, avoiding damaged or diseased foliage.

Autumn

Plant in mild climates and clear fallen fruits from paths where they could become slippery.

• Use as a large evergreen shade tree in a spacious garden, allowing for its broad mature crown.
• Plant as a woodland backdrop with native shrubs and ferns beneath the outer canopy.
• Use several trees as an informal screen where there is room for their eventual width.
• Retain a multi-stemmed specimen as a sculptural focal point in a California-native landscape.

Garden styles it suits: California native, Pacific Northwest woodland, Woodland, Wildlife garden, Mediterranean and Green on green.

Plant it with: Toyon, Coffeeberry, Western sword fern, Evergreen huckleberry, Douglas iris and California wild rose.

Wildlife: Flowers provide food for early-season insects. Birds and small mammals eat the fruits, and the dense evergreen canopy offers shelter and nesting cover.

• Sudden oak death pathogen: California bay can carry Phytophthora ramorum on its leaves and spread infection to susceptible oaks. In affected parts of California and Oregon, seek local guidance before planting near oaks; do not move suspect leaves, soil or nursery plants.
• Root rot in poorly drained soil: avoid sites that remain waterlogged and do not keep the trunk base wet.
• Scale insects and sooty mould: inspect stems and leaf undersides; encourage natural predators and use a labelled horticultural oil on accessible infestations if necessary.
• Frost and drying-wind damage: shelter young trees, avoid frost pockets and wait until new growth shows the extent of injury before cutting back.

The leaves are used sparingly as a culinary seasoning, but their concentrated aromatic oils can irritate people; crushing and closely inhaling the leaves can cause headaches. Do not swallow whole leaves or use the essential oil internally. Reliable species-specific toxicity information for cats, dogs and horses is limited, so do not assume it is safe for browsing animals; prevent them from eating leaves or fruits and seek veterinary advice after a substantial ingestion.

• Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)

  Ordinary culinary bay usually has more noticeably wavy leaf margins and a gentler bay scent; California bay has flatter margins and a much sharper, penetrating aroma.

• Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

  Cherry laurel has broader, finely toothed leaves and upright spikes of white flowers, rather than small yellow-green flower clusters. Its leaves are poisonous and must not be substituted in cooking.

• Oregon myrtlewood sold as myrtle (Myrtus communis)

  True common myrtle has small leaves arranged in opposite pairs and conspicuous white flowers with many stamens; California bay has alternate leaves.

Umbellularia refers to the small umbrella-like flower clusters, while californica means 'of California'.

Propagation. Sow fresh, cleaned seed in autumn in a protected outdoor seedbed or pots; do not let it dry out, and expect slow or uneven germination. Semi-ripe cuttings can be tried in summer, but rooting is often difficult.

Accepted botanical name

Umbellularia californica

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states.

Native range

California, Mexico Northwest and Oregon.

Measured

Soil pH 5.7 to 7.4. Average height 2499 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.