Laurel
Cordia alliodora
Native Region
Mexico to Argentina
Max Height
30-45 meters
Family
Boraginaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1500m
Regions
- Limón
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
- San José
- Guanacaste
Season
Flowering
Feb-Apr
Fruiting
May-Jul
Laurel (Spanish Elm)
Laurel (Cordia alliodora), also known as Spanish Elm or Ecuador Laurel, represents the ideal convergence of timber value and agroforestry utility. This fast-growing native produces beautiful, durable wood prized for furniture and construction, while its slender crown provides perfect filtered shade for coffee and cacao. Throughout Costa Rica, Laurel stands tall in coffee plantations, its presence representing decades of farmer wisdom—a tree that pays its way while improving the farm.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Cordia alliodora
- Family
- Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
- Max Height
- 30-45 m
- Growth Rate
- Fast (1-3 m/year)
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Feature
- Premium timber + agroforestry
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
3500
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Cordia: Named after German botanist Valerius Cordus (1515-1544) - alliodora: From Latin allium (garlic) + odor (smell)—the bark and crushed leaves release a mild garlic odor The common name "Laurel" (bay laurel) refers to its aromatic properties, though it's unrelated to true laurels (Lauraceae).
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Laurel | Laurel (aromatic reference) |
| English | Spanish Elm, Ecuador Laurel | Regional trade names |
| Commercial | Laurel, Salmwood | Timber trade names |
| Ecuador | Laurel de Guayaquil | Trade name |
| Colombia | Nogal Cafetero, Canalete | Coffee walnut / regional |
Physical Description
General Form
Laurel is a medium to tall deciduous or semi-deciduous tree with a remarkably straight trunk—one of the straightest-growing native species. The crown is typically narrow and elongated when grown in forest or plantation conditions, broader when open-grown. Distinctive swollen nodes on branches house symbiotic ants.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Crown
- Trunk: Exceptionally straight, cylindrical
- Bark: Gray-brown, slightly fissured
- Crown: Narrow, conical when young; layered
- Branching: Whorled at nodes
- Self-Pruning: Lower branches drop naturally
Leaves
- Type: Simple, alternate
- Size: 8-18 cm long
- Shape: Elliptic to oblong
- Texture: Rough above (scabrous)
- Odor: Garlic-like when crushed
- Deciduous: Partially in dry season
Flowers
- Color: White to cream
- Size: Small, 1 cm diameter
- Arrangement: Dense panicles
- Fragrance: Sweet, attracting pollinators
- Timing: Dry season
- Pollination: Bees, butterflies
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Small nuts with persistent calyx
- Dispersal: Wind (calyx acts as wing)
- Germination: High viability
- Production: Abundant, good for reforestation
Ant Domatia
- Swollen Nodes: Hollow chambers at branch nodes
- Inhabitants: Azteca ants
- Mutualism: Ants protect tree from herbivores
Laurel has one of the most interesting mutualisms in tropical trees. Swollen chambers (domatia) at branch nodes house colonies of Azteca ants. In return for shelter, the ants aggressively defend the tree against leaf-eating insects and browsing animals. Tap a Laurel branch and watch the ants swarm out!
Distribution and Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Widespread throughout the country from sea level to about 1,500 m elevation:
| Province | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San José | Very Common | Coffee zone standard shade tree |
| Alajuela | Very Common | Extensive in coffee areas |
| Heredia | Very Common | Coffee plantations throughout |
| Cartago | Common | Lower elevations |
| Guanacaste | Common | Cattle pastures, remnant forest |
| Puntarenas | Common | Pacific slopes, coffee |
| Limón | Common | Lower elevations, cacao areas |
Habitat Preferences
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,500 m (optimal 500-1,200 m)
- Climate: Humid tropical to dry subtropical
- Rainfall: 1,500-4,000 mm/year
- Temperature: 18-28°C
- Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained; tolerates many types
- Light: Pioneer species; requires full sun when young
- Succession: Early to mid-successional
Timber Value
Wood Properties
Premium Native Timber
Laurel wood is among the most valuable native timbers in Central America: - Color: Light golden-brown heartwood, darker streaks - Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked - Texture: Medium to coarse - Density: 400-550 kg/m³ (medium-light) - Workability: Excellent—machines, finishes beautifully - Durability: Moderate; interior use or treated exterior - Drying: Minimal warping or checking The combination of beauty, workability, and fast growth makes it a forestry champion.
Commercial Applications
| Use Category | Applications | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Furniture | Cabinets, tables, chairs | High - premium markets |
| Interior Finishing | Paneling, moldings, doors | High |
| Boatbuilding | Planking, interior | Traditional use |
| General Construction | Framing, flooring (interior) | Medium-high |
| Plywood & Veneer | Face veneers, panels | Industrial use |
| Rural Construction | Posts, poles (treated) | Local markets |
Timber Economics
Growth & Yield
- Rotation: 15-25 years typical
- Yield: 15-25 m³/ha/year possible
- Form Factor: Very high (straight trunk)
- Self-Pruning: Reduces labor
Market Position
- Price: Among highest for native species
- Demand: Steady for quality wood
- Competition: With teak, mahogany
- Certification: FSC available for plantations
Agroforestry Systems
Coffee Shade
Laurel is perhaps the most important shade tree in Central American coffee: - Shade Quality: Light, filtered—perfect for coffee - Crown Form: Narrow, allows light penetration - Root Competition: Deep roots, minimal competition - Nitrogen: Not N-fixing but decomposes well - Timber Income: Trees harvested after 20-30 years - Tradition: Used for generations throughout region A coffee farm with mature Laurels represents both agricultural and timber wealth.
Other Agroforestry Uses
| System | Role | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee plantations | Shade + timber | Primary use in Central America |
| Cacao agroforestry | Upper canopy shade | Traditional in Caribbean lowlands |
| Silvopastoral | Shade for cattle | Valuable trees + animal welfare |
| Boundary plantings | Property lines | Timber investment + demarcation |
| Living fences | Fence posts (less common) | Some cutting propagation possible |
Ecological Importance
Pioneer Species Role
Succession Benefits
- Colonization: Rapidly colonizes disturbed areas
- Soil Building: Leaf litter improves soil
- Nurse Crop: Provides shade for later species
- Natural Regeneration: Abundant seed production
Wildlife Value
- Ant Mutualism: Azteca ants and tree benefit mutually
- Nesting: Birds use branching structure
- Flowers: Important bee and butterfly food
- Seeds: Eaten by birds
Carbon Sequestration
- Fast Growth: Rapid carbon capture in first 15-20 years
- Timber Storage: Carbon locked in long-lived wood products
- Soil Carbon: Root systems and leaf litter build soil C
- Climate Smart: Excellent for carbon credit projects
Cultivation and Management
Growing Laurel
Propagation
Seeds (Primary Method)
- Collect mature seeds when calyx turns brown
- Seeds viable for several months if stored dry
- Direct sow or nursery production
- Germination in 2-3 weeks
- Transplant at 30-50 cm height
Cuttings (Limited)
- Possible but less common than seed
- Stakes may establish for living fence
Site Requirements
- Sun: Full sun essential for good form
- Soil: Well-drained; tolerates variety
- Spacing: 3x3 m (plantations) to 10x10 m (agroforestry)
- Rainfall: 1,500+ mm or irrigation
- Elevation: Below 1,500 m
Management
- Thin plantations for saw timber quality
- Prune only if necessary (natural self-pruning)
- Protect from fire when young
- Monitor for stem borers
Plantation Forestry
Laurel is a top choice for reforestation in Central America: - Fast Establishment: Good survival, rapid growth - Low Maintenance: Self-pruning, good form - Financial Return: Valuable timber in 15-25 years
- Environmental Services: Carbon, biodiversity, watershed - Mixed Systems: Combines with coffee, cacao for income It's a key species in Costa Rica's Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program.
Identification Guide
How to Identify Laurel
Definitive Features:
- Remarkably straight trunk (one of the straightest natives)
- Whorled branching at regular intervals
- Swollen nodes with ant domatia
- Rough (scabrous) leaves with garlic odor when crushed
- White fragrant flowers in dense clusters
- Small winged fruits (persistent calyx)
Where to See Laurel in Costa Rica
| Location | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central Valley coffee farms | Shade tree | Ubiquitous throughout coffee zone |
| Tarrazú coffee region | Extensive plantings | Premium coffee area with Laurel shade |
| Monteverde area | Forest edges, farms | Common in agricultural zones |
| Caribbean lowlands | Cacao agroforestry | Traditional use with cacao |
| Guanacaste | Pastures, reforestation | Scattered trees, plantations |
| Rural roads throughout | Fence lines, remnants | Common roadside tree |
Economic and Social Significance
Role in Rural Economy
The Farmer's Savings Account
For generations, Laurel has served as a living investment: - Coffee + Timber: Dual income from same land - Retirement Fund: Mature trees sold for retirement - Emergency Cash: Valuable asset in hard times - Inheritance: Trees passed down generations - Land Value: Laurel increases property worth This "tree in the bank" model represents sustainable wealth building for small farmers.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Wood properties and trade data
Agroforestry research and resources
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Boshier, D.H. & Lamb, A.T. (1997). Cordia alliodora: Genetics and Tree Improvement. Tropical Forestry Papers, Oxford Forestry Institute
Janzen, D.H. (1983). Costa Rican Natural History. University of Chicago Press
Somarriba, E. (1992). Timber Harvest, Damage, and Growth in Coffee Agroforestry. Agroforestry Systems 19: 171-185
Laurel represents sustainable forestry at its finest—a native species that grows fast, produces valuable wood, integrates into farming systems, and regenerates naturally. In a world seeking alternatives to deforestation and plantation monocultures, Laurel offers a path forward: trees that benefit farmers, wildlife, and the climate simultaneously. When you sip Costa Rican coffee, you're likely drinking coffee grown in the shade of Laurel trees that will one day become someone's beautiful furniture.
