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Umbellularia californica
THE TIMBER:
The often variegated heartwood is yellowish-brown or olive
and is not sharply defined from the wood, pale brown sapwood.
When freshly cut, California laurel has a mild scent and taste. The luster
is medium.
The texture is medium with straight to wavy grain. In Oregon,
the wood is noted for its strikingly
mottled pigment figures, varying from fine, delicate black
lines to heavy splotches, occasionally streaked with gold
and silver which are difficult to adequately describe.
WORKABILITY:
California laurel is easily worked with tools and takes an
exquisitely high polish.
USES:
This wood is almost entirely consigned to making wood novelties
of all descriptions and sizes. The burls are sliced into veneer for cabinetwork.
California laurel is claimed by many to be the finest wood obtainable for
novelty articles and is shipped to many parts of the world for this purpose. |
