Camphor laurel - Cinnamomum camphora

Description and Uses

Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor laurel) is a tropical tree from Japan. It is mainly grown for its oil crops (long shelflife), The crop is harvested by pruning. It starts flowering after 14 - 17 years. There is Camphor oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s wood yielding 4 - 6% oil. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 4500 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 30 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Cinnamomum camphora has a lifespan of 1000 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 40 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Cinnamomum camphora has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects. Cinnamomum camphora is evergreen and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Cinnamomum camphora thrives in an altitude of 1350 to 1800 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -1°C and optimally between 14 - 27°C. The optimal rainfall is 2655 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 640 - 4030 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 8300 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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