Myrtlewood

Overview

Myrtlewood (Umbellularia californica) is the Pacific-coast hardwood sold as Oregon myrtle, California laurel or pepperwood. It has a variable orange-brown to olive-grey colour with frequent curly, mottled and burl figure, a fine uniform texture and a strong spicy smell when worked. Despite the name it is a laurel, not a true myrtle. It is chosen for turning, small furniture and instrument backs.

Pros

• Fairly easy to work; it turns, glues and finishes well.
• Fine, uniform texture; figured grain (curly, mottled, burl) is not uncommon.
• Hard (1,270 lbf) and fairly dense (about 635 kg/m3 dried).
• Low radial shrinkage (2.8%), though tangential is 8.1%.
• Used for guitar backs and other aesthetic work.

Cons

• Among the highest domestic prices per board foot; figured pieces and burls are very expensive.
• Heart rot is common, and insect resistance is poor.
• Tends to burn during drilling and routing; sharp cutters and suitable speeds help.
• Tear-out can occur on figured grain.
• Poor strength values for its weight, so it is used for looks rather than strength.
• Strong, spicy odour while working; reported as a skin irritant and sensitizer.

Variants and subspecies

• Plain myrtlewood: straight, irregular or wavy grain.
• Figured: curly, mottled and burl.
• Not a true myrtle: the Wood Database stresses it is not related to Myrtus but is the only species in the Umbellularia genus, in the laurel family (Lauraceae).
• Names: the tree is also called California bay laurel, Oregon myrtle, pepperwood and California laurel; the leaves have a pungent flavour like bay laurel (Laurus nobilis).
• Neighbour: Pacific madrone is another high-priced West Coast hardwood.

Working and finishing

The Wood Database says myrtlewood is fairly easy to work, with tear-out possible on figured grain, and a tendency to burn during drilling and routing, so appropriate speeds and sharp cutters are advised. It turns, glues and finishes well. Given the irritant and sensitizer reports below, wear a respirator and gloves.

Staining and finishing colour

Heartwood colour varies from light orangish brown to grey or olive, sometimes streaked darker, with a low natural lustre. The Wood Database says it finishes well. Because the figure and colour variation are the main attraction, it is normally given a clear oil or varnish rather than stain.

Sustainability and handling

The Wood Database reports myrtlewood as not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked 2026-09-30) or on the IUCN Red List; Wikipedia's page for the genus gives Least Concern (2018). US-grown timber is still covered by the Lacey Act, which as amended in 2008 prohibits trade in plants and timber taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of law (Wikipedia's summary of the Act); buy from dealers who can name the source. The Wood Database says severe reactions are quite uncommon but myrtle has been reported to be both a skin irritant and a sensitizer. The Wood Database's wood-dust article treats wood dust in general as an irritant or sensitizer and notes that fine dust can cause cumulative lung damage, so extract at the source and wear a respirator when sanding or machining.

Popular projects

Turned bowls and vessels, guitar backs, small cabinets, interior trim, gunstocks and veneer; the Wood Database lists veneer, cabinetry, fine furniture, musical instruments, interior trim, gunstocks and turned objects.

Buying notes

Occasionally available as smaller lumber or veneer, mostly from Oregon and California. No retail list price was found; the Wood Database puts it among the highest domestic prices per board foot. Check for heart rot, ask for kiln-dried stock and look at photos of the exact board since colour and figure vary widely.