The California Bay Tree is a beautiful multi-trunk California native evergreen tree.  The leaves a medium green ovate pointed shape and are used in cooking.  In it's maturity, Umbellularia californica may reach up to 50 + feet, but are typicaly seen between 30-40 feet tall.  They can be kept to around 20 feet if desired which makes a nice smaller accent tree. Small yellowish flowers appear from Winter to Spring with a small pale purple berry to follow.  Umbellularia californica requires little to moderate water and is considered drough tolerant.  The Bay Tree can thrive in both sun or shade, but will have a more dense foliage with more sun.  It's quite versitile in that it can be used as a screening element, a multi-trunk tree, trimmed up to a single trunk shade tree, or a large background shrub on larger estates.  It can also tolerate some clay in the soil.  Plant communities in which Umbellularia californica may be found include Yellow Pine Forest, Chaparral, Central Oak Woodland, and Redwood Forest.  You may have also seen it's close relative, the Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), which is a European native.  

It pairs well with plants like Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’ to create a layered native understory, Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern) to add lush texture in shaded areas, and Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant) to introduce seasonal color beneath the canopy. Hardy to 10 deg. F.  USDA Zones 7-10.

Expert Tip:

Place this where it has room to mature, because it can grow into a large tree over time. Thinning and selective pruning will help maintain airflow and prevent the canopy from becoming overly dense.

— Nick from Rooted Theory