Cinnamomum camphora
Camphor laurel, Ho wood
Also known as Laurus camphora
- Height × spread
- 30m × 12m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Grown outside in the warmest parts of the country this tree is found in Japan, China and Taiwan. It is grown in a number of other countries including warmer parts of France and Italy as well as the United States. This makes a large and handsome evergreen tree that makes a broad crown of oblong, tapering, shiny green leaves that are bronze when they first appear. There are fairly unnoticeable small pale yellow flowers carried in clusters and small shiny black fruits in the autumn. The bark of the tree is ridged and looks rather like that of the English oak. Both the bark and leaves are used to obtain camphor. This has a wide range of medicinal uses from joint pains, chilblains and skin disease. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine and aromatherapy. Improperly used it can cause illness and death, so should not be used by non-professionals. This tree is not frost hardy.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Green-bronze
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 30m
- Spread
- 12m
- Height in 10 years
- 5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Prune to maintain young trees
While it is still possible to safely reach up and into the tree, remove dead or damaged foliage, and crossing or misplaced branches in early spring while the plant is still dormant.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.