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Camphor Laurel
Environmental Weed
Botanical name: Cinnamomum Camphora
Special note: Poisonous
Photos: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Originating in China and Japan, Camphor Laurel is a fast growing large stout rough barked tree with pale green glossy leaves up to 20m.Leaves are light green and glossy with a wavy margin and yellow mid-rib. The under surface is dull green. When crushed, they smell strongly of camphor. Twigs are often red.
Masses of small white insignificant flowers occurring in spring.
Fruit is a 10mm round berry which turns black ripening in autumn and early winter
Dispersal
Spread by birds and other animals into bushland.
Impact on bushland
Invades moist bushland slopes and gullies, creating dense shade. Aggressively replaces native trees including koala and possum food trees.
Control
Manual:
- Reshoots after cutting and poisoning, and also suckers from its roots.
- Hand pull seedlings.
- If removing from waterways or very steep land, please contact your local control authority for advice.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Suggested alternatives
- Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) to 15m
- Lillypilly (Acmena smithii) to 10m
- Blue Cherry (Syzygium oleosum) up to 8m
- Or introduced species such as Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) to 15m, and Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) to 6m