MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

Invasive - Central, North
Caution - South

Cinnamomum camphora: Camphor-Tree1

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean 2

Introduction

This large, round-canopied, evergreen tree has broad, large-diameter, unusually strong branches and can reach 70 feet in height with a broader spread but is usually 40 to 50 feet with a 50 to 70-foot spread. The glossy green, thin but leathery leaves give off a camphor aroma when crushed and create dense shade. The stems and bark on young branches of Camphor-tree are bright green, tinged with red when young, maturing into a dark grey-brown, rugged-looking trunk which appears almost black when wet from rain. Trunk and branch structure on older trees appear similar to mature live oaks. The inconspicuous, tiny, yellow flowers are followed by a profusion of small, black berries which can become an annoyance on walks and driveways because they are messy but are quite attractive to wildlife. Fruits will stain cars. Some occasionally germinate below the tree, but this is not nearly as much of a problem as some other trees. Birds can also carry the seed to remote areas where it will occasionally germinate. The leaves, twigs, and wood are the commercial source of camphor. The dried bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum yields cinnamon.

Figure 1. Full Form—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Figure 1.  Full Form—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree

General Information

Scientific name: Cinnamomum camphora

Pronunciation: sin-uh-MOE-mum kam-FOR-uh

Common name(s): camphor-tree

Family: Lauraceae

USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Figure 2)

Origin: native to eastern Asia

UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: invasive and not recommended (North and Central); caution, may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (South)

Uses: screen; shade; urban tolerant

Figure 2. Range
Figure 2.  Range

Description

Height: 40 to 50 feet

Spread: 50 to 70 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: round

Crown density: dense

Growth rate: fast

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: ovate, obovate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, broadleaf evergreen, fragrant when crushed

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: dark green and shiny on top, glaucous and silvery underneath

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Figure 3. Leaf—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Figure 3.  Leaf—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree

Flower

Flower color: greenish white

Flower characteristics: not showy; emerges in clusters on panicles

Flowering: spring

Figure 4. Flower—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Figure 4.  Flower—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: 1/3 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy drupe

Fruit color: green to black

Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; not showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Figure 5. Fruit—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Figure 5.  Fruit—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/branches: branches droop; showy; typically one trunk; no thorns

Bark: brown to gray, becoming increasingly furrowed and rigid with age

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green

Current year twig thickness: thin, medium

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Figure 6. Bark—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Figure 6.  Bark—Cinnamomum camphora: camphor-tree
Credit: Gritta Hasing

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: low

Other

Roots: can form large surface roots

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptible

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Too big for all but the largest spaces, Camphor-tree is ideal when used as a shade tree for parks or large landscapes. Use along streets should be tempered because messy fruits drop on sidewalks and cars. It might be considered for boulevard planting where cars do not park. Prune to develop major branches, space 18 to 30 inches apart along a central trunk to develop good structure. Do not allow major branches to grow from the same spot on the trunk and avoid upright, multi-trunked trees. It may be difficult to maintain a lawn beneath the dense shade of Camphor-trees and a shade-tolerant groundcover may better suit the purpose. The trunk on older specimens grows to six feet or more in diameter and is quite picturesque. Allow plenty of room for proper development above and below ground. Shallow roots can be a nuisance. Has escaped cultivation in some areas.

Growing in full sun to partial shade, Camphor-Tree is amenable to a variety of soils, will grow but often develops minor element deficiencies on alkaline soils. Camphor-Tree is highly tolerant of urban conditions but will not tolerate water-logged soils. It is adapted to grow along the coast exposed to some sea salt.

The cultivar `Monum' has larger, richer green foliage.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests

Scales and mites are common problems on Camphor-Trees. Seeds can germinate easily in the landscape but this is usually a minor problem. Has escaped cultivation in Florida, Louisiana, and parts of coastal Texas, so use it (if at all) with caution.

Diseases

Camphor-Tree is subject to a root rot, especially in poorly-drained soils.

References

Koeser, A. K., Hasing, G., Friedman, M. H., and Irving, R. B. 2015. Trees: North & Central Florida. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Footnotes

1. This document is ENH326, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised February 2013 and December 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
2. Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department; Ryan W. Klein, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department; Andrew K. Koeser, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Deborah R. Hilbert, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; and Drew C. McLean, biological scientist, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

IFAS Assessment

South

Caution

Caution - manage to prevent escape. May be recommended by IFAS. Will be reassessed in two years.

view assessment

IFAS Assessment

Central, North

Invasive

Invasive and not recommended by IFAS. Will be reassessed every 10 years. Specified and limited uses may be considered by the IFAS Invasive Plants Working Group

view assessment

Publication #ENH326

Release Date:April 30, 2019

Related Collections

Part of Southern Trees Fact Sheets

Related Topics

    Organism ID

    Contacts

    • Andrew Koeser