What is Myrtlewood?
Common Name: Oregon Myrtlewood, Pepperwood, Bay
Laurel
Latin Name: Umbellularia californica
Family: Lauraceae (Laurel)
Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf
evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern
California. The Umpqua River watershed appears to be the
northern boundary of it’s native habitat.
Although different, Oregon
Myrtlewood has a lot of similarities to the Myrtlewood growing in
the Holy Land.
The Myrtle tree grows 60-120’ in the
wild. It is very slow growing putting on only 1-12" of growth during
each of its first few years. They may take 80-120 years to reach
full size. It is often multi trunk but can be kept pruned to a
single trunk tree. When growing in the open it tends to have a
dense, rounded , ‘gumdrop shape’. On a shady hillside it grows much
taller and narrower. Myrtlewood tolerates many conditions, but grows
best and fastest in deep soil with lots of compost, ample water and
full sun.
The leaves are 3-5 inches long, 1 inch
wide, pointed at the tip, medium green, glossy on top, and dull
light green beneath. The crushed leaves have a powerful aromatic
scent which can be used as a sure identification. The leaves are
frequently used in cooking as a substitute for True Bay (Lauris
nobilis), and are also noted as a flea repellant when freshly
crushed. The Myrtlewood has clusters of small yellow flowers (or
umbels) which bloom in late winter and olive like seeds or nuts
which usually fall from the trees in the fall.
Myrtlewood trees will regrow from their stump and
are also grown from their seeds. The Myrtlewood Gallery in Reedsport
is actively planting Myrtlewood trees around the area.
Here many trees are growing from a fallen log.
Oregon Myrtlewood became popular for making gift items back in
the early 1900’s. It is a hardwood which takes many finishes well.
Oregon Myrtlewood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and
grain patterns and is noted
by many as being one
of the world’s most beautiful woods. The color of the wood is often
influenced by the minerals in the soil where it grows which could be
a factor in its popularity here on the Oregon coast. The colors
range from blond to black with many shades of honey, browns, grays,
reds and greens in between.
Oregon woodworkers have developed a small cottage
industry making handcrafted Myrtlewood products and gifts for
visitors and residents of the area. Many beautiful gifts and works
of art crafted out of Myrtlewood by over 80 different Oregon Artists
are displayed at The Myrtlewood Gallery in Reedsport.
Myrtlewood trees can be seen where they have been
planted around town, along the river banks, or along many of the
highways and backroads of the surrounding South coast range. Highway
38 & 138 from about 12 miles east of Reedsport toward Roseburg
is lined with lots of Myrtle trees. Humbug Park, South of Port
Orford on 101, is another good place to view full grown Myrtlewood
Trees.
In the Bible, the Myrtle tree is of
special religious significance, representing fertility and
life.
A few examples of Myrtlewood’s
exquisite grain patterns.
