Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree Enh 101 Julia Plotts http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cinnamomum_camphora_‐_camphor_tree.jpg Photograph by Kazuo Yamasaki Cinnnamomum camphora is a tree native to East Asia. It has a long history of many uses and the crushed leaves have a distinctive smell. This is my favorite tree because I love its full canopy,the spicy fragrance of the leaves, its historical significance. O R I G I N & E N V I R O N M E N T ORIGIN: Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan and other parts of East Asia. ALSO GROWS IN : Australia and the US (along Golf Coast and California). Is an invasive species in Australia. SOIL TYPE: Well drained sandy soil. Drought tolerant . Tolerant of urban soils. Tolerant of many different soils SUN: Full sun to partial shade CLIMATE: USDA hardiness zone 8‐10 A E S T H E T I C S & A R C H I T E C T U R E • Sturdy branches • wide diameter • dense shade • Fast growing tree HEIGHT: 50 –70 ft. CANOPY SPREAD: 40‐60 ft. FOLIAGE: 1‐4 in shiny leaves, wavy margins, yellow veins. FLOWERS: small white flowers FRUIT: small red‐black fleshy fruit http://www.meemelink.com/prints%20pages/24057.Lauraceae%20‐ FALL COLOR: not showy, evergreen %20Cinnamomum%20camphora.htm Small white flowers Wavy margins P E S T S & D I S E A S E S • Susceptible to root rot from poorly drained soil • Scales and mites • However the camphor tree is a strong tree and its long term health is not usually effected by pests http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/whitefly/a leyrodinae/media/html/aleurocanthus.htm H I S T O R I C A L U S E S • Used for medicine, incense, culinary spice, insect repellant, explosives. • Smokeless gunpowder • Celluloid • Spice used in sweets in medieval Europe • China and Japan used as medicinal oil – Used to treat ailments such as toothache and parasitic infections http://www.indiamart.com/company/15281 15/products.html U S E S IN THE LANDSCAPE: • Ornamental tree • Shade tree, windbreak, screen (storm resistant, dense shade) – Requires pruning to cut back low branches and develop strong structure. • However, has messy fruit, can be escape cultivation, and is too large for streetscaping OTHER USES: • Good for treating diarrhea, inflammation, itching, and nervous conditions. Scientific proof of antiseptic and medicinal value. • An insect repellant . Kills fleas • Culinary uses China and India. S O U R C E S • http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cinn_cam.cfm • http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cinn_cam.cfm • http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheet s/cincama.pdf .