California laurel
Umbellularia californica
A long-lived native canopy tree for suitable moister sites; not a generic small-yard recommendation.
Sun
Part shade–sun
Water
Low–moderate
Soil
Deep, well-drained, some moisture
Slope
Moderate
Mature Height
30–75 ft
Mature Width
20–50 ft
Location
Moister foothill sites
Maintenance
Low–moderate
Fire-Wise Status
Ecologically appropriate, fire placement requires site evaluation
Wildlife Benefits
Bees, butterflies, birds, species-specific
Ecological Functions
Pollinators, habitat, drought adaptation
Primary Garden Goals
Canopy, habitat
Why This Plant?
A long-lived native canopy tree for suitable moister sites; not a generic small-yard recommendation.
Fire Smart Landscaping
High Fire Severity Zone
Fire-resilience candidate — conditional
HFSZ Fire Screening
Conditional — LACoFD listed
LACoFD Landscape Zone
Site-specific / conditional
LACoFD Placement Guide
Site-specific; mature canopy clearance required
Fire Resilient Landscaping Combines the Right Plant, Place, and Maintainance
No plant is completely fireproof. Fire-resilient landscaping combines the right plant in the right place, with appropriate spacing, irrigation, and ongoing maintenance.
This plant has been evaluated for its characteristics and potential use in wildfire-resilient landscapes, but its performance depends on site conditions—including slope, exposure, surrounding vegetation, proximity to structures, and how the landscape is maintained.
Use the information in this Plant Finder as a planning guide, not a guarantee of fire performance. Always follow current local requirements and site-specific guidance when designing or modifying vegetation around your home.
Deep Dive
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Current guidance on the three ignition zones, plant selection, spacing, and landscape management.
LA County Recovers
Local experts on native plants, landscape design, maintenance, and wildfire resilience in Southern California.
Theodore Payne Foundation
Calscape / California Native Plant Society
Explore California native plants and match plants to local site conditions. LA County also directs residents to Calscape for native-plant resources.
UC ANR Fire Network — Right Plant, Right Place, Right Care
UC ANR specifically notes that all plants can burn under the right conditions and discusses pruning, irrigation, cleanup, spacing, and plant characteristics.
UC ANR Fire Network — Defensible Space
A detailed explanation of the 0–5 ft, 5–30 ft, and 30–100+ ft defensible-space zones, including how vegetation spacing and maintenance change across the landscape.