Common Names:   California laurel Oregon myrtle Pepperwood Spice tree Myrtle Bay laurel Purchase Myrtle

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
This native southwestern Oregon and northwestern California species is reported to be severely overlogged. 

Distribution
The only tree in its family found in the western United States, California laurel is reported to occur from Oregon to California, from latitudes 44 degrees to 33 degrees north. It is reported to grow in the Coast Ranges, the southwestern Cascade Range and all along the western Sierra Nevada. Its range is reported to be limited to within 160 miles east of the Pacific Coast. Many laurel trees are reported to be found in parks and riparian areas.

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible or sustainably managed sources. 

The material is reported to be scarce in the lumber form, but small pieces of wood are often available from dealers at high prices. Supplies of the highly figured Myrtle burls are reported to be very limited. They are reported to be the highest priced of all American woods when available.

Tree Data
The tree is reported to attain a height that is commonly 40 to 80 feet (12 to 24 m), with a trunk diameter of 18 to 30 inches (50 to 80 cm). Boles are sometimes straight and clear to 30 feet (9 m) or higher, but they are reported to be typically short, and are often divided near the ground. Under favorable growing conditions, the trees are reported to reach heights of more than 100 feet (30 m), with trunk diameters of 36 to 72 inches (90 to 180 cm).

Sapwood Color
The thick sapwood is pale brown and is not clearly demarcated from the heartwood.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is rich golden brown to yellowish green, and is often variegated. It is reported to darken considerably when water soaked. 

Grain
The grain is reported to be generally straight, but is often irregular or wavy. It is described as close, tight, and smooth. California laurel is reported to be highly prized for its excellent and swirling stumpwood, clusters, and burls. Material from Oregon is reported to exhibit attractive mottled figures which range from fine, delicate dark stripes to heavy splotches, occasionally marked with gold and silver streaks.

Texture
Texture is medium and firm.

Luster
Luster is reported to be medium.

Odor
There is usually a distinct spicy odor, which may be strong or mild. There is no characteristic taste.

Ease of Drying
The timber is reported be kiln-dried from green without prior air-seasoning. End-coating and mild schedules are recommended to prevent degrade. Logs are reported to be often submerged in water in order to develop the darker colors that are so popular with carftsmen, and seasoning is reported to require years of great care to yield the finest color effects.

Drying Defects
Warping and cheking may be severe if the timber is not dried carefully, and end-checks may develop due to refractory wood.

Kiln Schedules
T6 - A4 (4/4); T5 - A3 (8/4) US

Movement in Service
California laurel is reported to be relatively stable after seasoning.

T/R Ratio
2.97
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to have very low natural resistance to decay and should not be used under high decay hazard conditions. It is also reported to be readily attacked by powder-post beetles, and is prone to sap stain infestation. 

Cutting Resistance
The wood is reported to have a slight resistance to cutting.

Planing
A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended for best planing results. Interlocked grain and small burls may cause chipping during planing.

Turning
The wood is reported to have excellent turning properties and is prized by wood turners.

Moulding
Moulding characteristics are reported to be good, but small burls and interlocked grain may cause chip-out.

Boring
The material is reported to have excellent boring characteristics.

Gluing
Gluing qualities and bond strength are reported to be good under well controlled conditions.

Nailing
Nailing properties are rated as good, and nail-holding characteristics are very good.

Screwing
The wood takes screws well, and holding power is reported to be very good.

Sanding
Fine grade sandpaper has been recommended in finish sanding to prevent surface scratches.

Polishing
Polishing properties are reported to be very good without grain filling.

Staining
The timber is reported to be seldom stained, but if color changes are desired, thin coats of dyes and tranparent stains are recommended over pigmented products.

Varnishing
Figured California laurel and burls are reported to be highly attractive when coated with clear finishes.

Strength Properties
The species has low bending strength in the air-dry condition. It is moderately hard and resistant to wearing and marring. It is a heavy wood. 

Comments
The wood is reported to be used almost exclusively for wooden novelties of all varieties and sizes.