Camphor Tree

Trimming of our Camphor Tree

Camphor is a very tall and striking evergreen tree.  The leaves have a glossy, waxy appearance and smell aromatic when crushed. In spring it produces bright green foliage with masses of small white flowers.   It produces clusters of black berry-like fuit. It has a pale bark that is very rough and fissured vertically.

The wood is reduced to chips or ground to a fine powder and the leaves are also ground up. This is then distilled with steam for several hours and the crude camphor crystallizes on the walls of the still.

Camphor is a white crystalline substance, obtained from the tree Cinnamomum camphora. Camphor has been used for many centuries as a culinary spice, a component of incense, as a medicine and perfume. Camphor is also an insect repellent.

Cinnamomum camphora is native to Tawian and southern Japan.

Our Lovely Camphor Tree dates back to WWII

Tip:   The camphor leaves  have high levels of oil in them and can be detrimental to your garden – should not be used as mulch. The oils will excrete over time and integrate with your soil producing a water-resistant shield. Your soil will then be in danger of becoming hydrophobic and your plants will suffer.