Hand carved from Oregon Myrtlewood, this Orca whale is set onto a beautifully detailed natural Myrtlewood base. This one measures 16 x 17.5 x 12, priced at $1200. For shipping, the Orca is removeable from the base. It is connected by a sturdy peg.

The artist is a third-generation Oregonian, who traces his heritage of the Oregon woods to his great grandfather who cut trees with a crosscut saw in the early logging days. Today, he salvages his own raw materials from trees naturally downed, maintaining a deep appreciation of his native woods, coastline, and the wildlife living there.

He specializes in carving Oregon Myrtlewood and mounts his art on various bases from pieces of wood he finds in his area. Forest Gems Gallery has worked with this artist since we first opened in 1996, and we are happy to continue our relationship with this talented artist.

Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. Common names include Oregon Myrtlewood, Pepperwood, and Bay Laurel. The Latin name is Umbellularia californica. The family is Lauraceae (Laurel).

Myrtlewood trees typically must reach 100 to 150 years of age before they become commercially useful. It is estimated that the Myrtlewood tree can live up to 500 years old and can reach a height of 80 feet. The coloring of the wood ranges from tan to red, brown, gray and black. The fragrant Myrtlewood leaves are a common herb called “Bay Leaf” which is used for cooking.

Myrtlewood trees will regrow as shoots from their stump and are also grown from their seeds. They have a strong root system which helps regenerate the species in the wild. New sprouts flourish from cut stumps, windfalls, and nurse logs. Wild trees are difficult to transplant due to their deep tap root system. It grows prolifically in this coastal region but has been heavily harvested for a century.