Cinnamomum camphora

An evergreen, monoecious, medium to large tree, which in Israel reaches about 15 m in height. In optimal conditions in the tree’s countries of origin, it can grow to 30 m tall. Its trunk is pale brown to grayish and prominently grooved. Note that the trunk can also reach an impressive diameter – in Japan there are individuals with a trunk circumference of up to 20 meters! The tree bears white flowers in spring that are not of horticultural importance. The tree’s round, small, black, fruits appear in summer. The tree’s leaves are green and shiny. They bloom in red colors, and before they fall, too, they turn red. Because it is an evergreen tree and frequently changes its leaves, the tree always has a bit of reddish color. When the leaves are crushed, they give a strong odor of camphor, and indeed from this tree camphor oil is extracted, which is used for alternative medicine, as a spice and even an insect repellent. The tree’s canopy is broad and dense, and it gives significant shade.

The tree is suitable for all types of soil in Israel and requires watering until it is established and to facilitate rapid growth, but it is sensitive to excess water. The tree is sensitive to extreme hot and cold conditions so it is not suitable for the Aravah or Eilat. However, it will withstand the cold conditions in Israel. We do now know of any significant pests or diseases, and the tree is resistant to air pollution. The tree is considered very resilient. We recommend this tree for parks, groves and boulevards because of its good properties and intoxicating smell, but we do not recommend it as a street tree both because its fruits are somewhat messy and because its roots may be invasive to the ground and cause damage to sidewalks and other paved areas.