Help identifying tree

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

A tree in our yard produces very fragrant leaves. Almost like camphor or eucalyptus. Can anyone tell me what it is? Want to make sure it’s not toxic before handling it too much. I live in Northern California.

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
California bay laurel, Umbellularia californica.
virag1127 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
virag1127
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! Is it ok for my kiddos to pick its leaves? They like smelling it! :)
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That bark is pretty unusual for a tatarian maple....no?? Sources say mature trees will have ridged or plated bark but not that any coloring will be so distinct. I have never seen one with such a strong light/dark contrast like that. It being Acer tataricum makes a lot more sense with a Reno location :-))
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It appears to have fruit in the upper right quadrant of the photo and they appear to have wings, perhaps sort of triangular in cross section. So unless I am mistaken, they aren't mulberry. The seeds sort of resemble my Halesia, but the leaves don't look quite right for that. LisaD, can you add a photo of the seeds/pods?
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2nd looks like an ornamental pear (from here). But a closer shot of leaves would help.
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Probably S. australe, but care is the same. See this for information https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1527
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Perfectly safe :-) The leaves are often used as a substitute for regular bay leaf in cooking but have a stronger flavor and more of a camphor aroma than bay leaves.
virag1127 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
virag1127
Original Author
5 years ago
That’s great! Thank you!
Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We have not seen any cases of California bay laurel dying due to a P. ramorum infection, but these trees are important reservoirs of inoculum for the pathogen and play a significant role in pathogen spread.

http://www.suddenoakdeath.org/diagnosis-and-management/hosts-and-symptoms/

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Help identifying tree

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

virag1127
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Help identifying tree

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

virag1127Original Author

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

virag1127Original Author

Embothrium

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virag1127
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