Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora)

The camphor tree is a beautiful tree that is easy to care for and is very long-lived. Its crown is so wide that it provides excellent shade, so during the summer you can have picnics without having to worry about the sun.

So if you have a large piece of land and you are looking for a beautiful plant, Next I will tell you everything you need to know about the camphor tree.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist it is an evergreen tree -is always green- originating in China, Japan and Taiwan. It is also easy to find in warm areas, such as the Pacific coastal regions of the United States. Its scientific name is Cinnamom camphoraalthough it is better known as camphor tree.

Reaches a height of 20 meterswith a wide crown of up to 6-7m. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, oval in shape, leathery, and bright green in color. The flowers are yellowish-white in color and appear in late spring / early summer grouped in corymbose panicles. The fruit is a reddish berry that turns black when ripe.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

Place your camphor outdoors, in full sun or semi-shade. Due to its dimensions, it is important that it is at a distance of 8 meters from any construction, pipes, etc.

Irrigation

It has to be watered 3 or 4 times a week in summerand every 4-5 days the rest of the year.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer / early fall with organic fertilizers, such as guano, compost, or the manure, once a month.

Planting time

The camphor tree it is a tree that must be planted in its final location in early spring. You have to be very careful not to manipulate your roots too much since otherwise it will be difficult for you to overcome the transplant.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and by semi-woody cuttings in spring. Let us know how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

You have to follow this step by step:

1. First, a seedling tray is filled (for sale here!) with universal growing medium (you can get it here!).
2. Second, it is watered so that the substrate is well soaked.
3. Third, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each socket, and covered with a thin layer of substrate.
4. Fourth, it is watered again, this time with a sprayer.
5. Fifth, the tray is inserted into another without holes. Each time you water, this last tray will fill almost to the top.
6. Finally, it is placed outside, in semi-shade.

Thus, keeping the substrate always moist, the seeds will germinate in about a month. It can be moved to the final location as soon as roots grow out of the hole in the seedling tray.

Semi-woody cuttings

You have to follow this step by step:

1. First, a branch of about 40cm has to be cut, using a saw previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
2. Second, the base is impregnated with powdered rooting hormones or with homemade rooting agents.
3. Third, a pot is filled with universal growing medium.
4. Fourth, a hole is made in the center, about 10cm.
5. Fifth, the cutting is introduced into that hole, and it is filled with substrate.
6. Sixth, it is watered.
7. Seventh, it is placed outside, in semi-shade.

Thus, will root in 1-2 monthsbut I insist, until the roots come out through the drainage holes of the pot, it will not be advisable to transplant it.

Rusticity

Withstands cold and frost up to -12ºCbut vegetates best in warm areas.

Can it be grown in a pot?

The answer is… No.. It is a very large tree, which over time, unless something is done to prevent it, will “ask” us to plant it in the ground. That added to the fact that it does not tolerate transplants too well, makes it difficult to keep it in a pot.

But I’m also going to tell you something: I myself have trees that I shouldn’t have in a container (Aesculus chestnutfor example, or Fagus sylvatica), and they’re fine … for now. So good, If you would like to try it, I recommend taking care of it in the following way:

• Location: outside, in semi-shade or in full sun.
• Substratum: universal cultivation.
• Irrigation: 3 times a week in summer, less the rest of the year.
• Pruning: at the end of winter, removing the dry, diseased or weak branches, and cutting those that are growing too much. Ideally, keep it with a maximum height of 2-3 meters.
• Transplant: every 2 or 3 years, in early spring.

What uses does it have?

Ornamental

It is a very decorative tree, ideal for gardens. You can have it like isolated specimen, forming screens, as windbreaker.

Wood

Polished wood It is used to make furniture, interior finishes and in joinery.

Medicinal

From the distillation of wood and leaves, camphor is obtained, which it is used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic.

What did you think of the camphor tree?