Oregon Myrtlewood Bowl

A mid-century wooden bowl turned from Oregon myrtle. “Myrtlewood” objects are often seen in the vintage trade, with labels extolling the virtues of this rare and wonderful wood. A typical label reads:

“A small area on the Pacific Coast contains the World's supply of this rare wood — The most beautiful wood that grows. Centuries of slow growth in the moisture-laden sea air, fresh from the wide Pacific, have woven into its depths the mystery, beauty and charm of exquisite grain, color and texture, which, thru the Craftsman's Art, are here given expression.”

However, Umbellularia californica (more commonly known as California bay laurel) is not really rare at all. The tree grows all along the Pacific coast, from Oregon to Southern California, as well as in the Sierra Nevada. The “rare myrtlewood” myth is just that, a device created to separate tourists from their dollars. California redwood and Lebanon Cedar are among the many other types of trees with their own legends, and regional craft industries.

Which isn’t to say that Oregon Myrtle/California Laurel isn’t a fascinating tree! The leaves contain allelopathic chemicals, which poison other plants that would grow beneath the tree, reducing competition. On hot summer days, their spicy smell can be strong enough to give you a headache. As with European bay, the leaves are sometimes used in cooking, although they are much more strongly-flavored. Caution should be used, as they contain irritating and carcinogenic compounds. The best use is to put them in jars of grains, dried mushrooms, etc., to keep out pantry pests. Native Americans used the leaves medicinally, and the rather unpalatable nuts were sometimes used as a famine food.