Camphora spp.

camphor tree

Lauraceae

East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam)

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Camphora spp. is a genus of evergreen trees in the laurel family (Lauraceae), segregated from Cinnamomum spp. and known for the camphor tree, Camphora officinarum. Members are broad-crowned trees reaching 30-100 feet (9-30 m) tall with a dense, rounded canopy that often spreads as wide as the tree is high. The alternate leaves are glossy, oval, and 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, releasing a camphor scent when crushed, with new growth flushing bronze to red before turning deep green. Small pale yellow to greenish-white flowers open in branched clusters in spring, followed by round black drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide that ripen in autumn. The wood, leaves, and roots contain camphor and related aromatic oils that have long been distilled for medicinal and industrial use. The genus is native to warm-temperate and subtropical East Asia and is grown as a street and shade tree in frost-free regions. Birds feed on the fruit and spread the seed widely, and in parts of Australia and the southeastern United States Camphora officinarum has naturalized and is regulated as an invasive weed. Surface roots and the dense canopy also limit what can grow beneath established trees.

Native Range

The genus is native to East Asia, including southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where the trees grow in lowland and hill forests. Camphora officinarum has since been planted across many warm regions and has naturalized in Australia, parts of Africa, and the southeastern United States.

Suggested Uses

In frost-free climates the genus is used as a large shade, street, and park tree where there is room for the wide crown and deep root system. The aromatic wood and foliage are also grown as a source of camphor oil. In regions where the camphor tree is invasive, planting is restricted and other shade trees are substituted.

How to Identify

Crushed leaves give off a sharp camphor smell, the clearest field mark for the genus. Look for glossy, alternate oval leaves with reddish new growth, a pale underside, and three main veins running from near the leaf base. Mature trees carry a thick trunk with vertical fissured bark and a wide, domed crown of dense evergreen foliage.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 100'

Width/Spread30' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Small pale flowers appear in spring, generally April to May, in loose branched clusters among the new leaves. Each flower is about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across, and the display lasts a few weeks. Round green fruits follow and ripen to glossy black by autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale yellow to greenish-white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-40 years to full size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Trees grow in full sun to light shade on most well-drained soils, tolerating clay, loam, and sand within a pH of 5.5-7.5. Young trees need regular water for the first few years, after which established specimens withstand periods of drought. Growth is rapid in warm climates, and the trees hold their leaves year-round, dropping older foliage mainly in spring. Hard frost damages or kills young plants, which limits the genus to roughly USDA zones 9 to 11. Where adapted, self-sown seedlings appear readily from bird-dropped fruit and can become weedy. Surface roots can lift paving, so trees are set well back from structures.

Pruning

Camphor trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or crossing branches and lifting the lower canopy for clearance. Any structural pruning is done in late winter before the spring flush. Trees respond to hard cutting with vigorous regrowth, so heavy reduction produces dense, upright watersprouts.