Cinnamomum camphora - Camphor laurel

Description and Uses

Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor laurel) is a tropical tree from Japan . It is mainly grown for its oil crops , which have a long shelf life. The crop is harvested by pruning. It starts flowering after 14 - 17 years. The yield will be variable, but in its top season there will be a yield of variable. Other crop types include; ornamental, timber, oil, repellent pesticide, spice, . The powdered leaf is used as spice . The wood is used as " anthelmintic, anti-rheuma, anti-spasmodic, insect repellant, analgesic, Antianxiety, Antiarrhythmic, Aromatherapy, " with camphor (50%/oil - 51%/oil) as its significant phytochemical. There is Camphor oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree's wood yielding 4% - 6% oil. The tree's wood is called Camphor and has a density of 350 - 500 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree's growing speed is slow, it's energetic value is 4500 ckal/kg and the wood's drying speed is medium. After 30 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Cinnamomum camphora has a lifespan of 1,000 years.

Environmental limitations

The tree is 40 meters tall with a crown of 33 meters wide. The tree prefers a planting distance of 600 cm and a row distance of 600 cm. It is slow growing and intolerant to shade. Cinnamomum camphora has a shallow root-system and it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen with "any bacteria. The name(s) or string of bacteria include(s) "not applicable ". The tree's flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects. Cinnamomum camphora is evergreen and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Cinnamomum camphora thrives in an altitude of 1350 to 1800 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -1°C; optimally between 14 - 27°C. The optimal rainfall is 2655 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 640 - 4030mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.

Pests and Diseases

Cinnamomum camphora is susceptible to the following pests: . And it's susceptible to the following diseases: Leave blight , , .

Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 12 months. There are approximative 8300 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed:

• (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature
• (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing.
• (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.