Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)
Camphor laurel is a highly invasive evergreen tree that has a tendency to form single species communities and exclude most other desirable native vegetation.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Camphor laurel has the ability to adapt to the disturbed environment, it has prolific seed production and rapid growth rate as well as a lack of serious predators or diseases, it also has many specific attributes which enhance its weed status.
- It has a tendency to form single species communities and exclude most other tree species, including desirable native vegetation.
- It has a competitive advantage over native vegetation because it establishes easily.
- Birds and other fauna readily eat the fruit and disperse the seeds.
- It has a very dense, shallow root system which, when accompanied by the shading provided by the canopy, suppresses the regeneration of native seedlings.
- It can destabilise stream banks due to undercutting by the shallow root system and the general lack of ground cover species around the trees to hold the soil in place.
- Mature camphor laurel trees are large and therefore difficult and expensive to remove.
- Camphor laurel trees are long-lived with some trees being over 100 years old and reports of some up to 500 years old in their native habitat.
- Camphor laurel trees regenerate easily after lopping.
- Invasion of agricultural lands by camphor laurel can cause significant impacts on productivity and the costs of control can reduce the viability of some agricultural pursuits.
On the north and mid north coast, camphor laurel invades large areas of land and inhibits potential land use in the same way as lantana, groundsel bush, crofton weed and privet. It is especially troublesome on sloping, rocky land not readily accessible to machinery or grazing animals, and on better land not intensively utilised. The contraction of dairying and banana farming since the 1960s has resulted in large areas becoming infested with camphor laurel.
Toxicity
Camphor laurel is mildly toxic to humans, and mild symptoms may occur if large quantities are eaten. All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause nausea, vomiting and respiratory distress. Allergic skin reactions can also occur.
What does it look like?
Camphor laurel is an evergreen tree which grows up to 20 m in height. It has a large, spreading canopy and a short, stout bole or trunk up to 1.5 m in diameter.
The bark is greyish brown and has a rough texture. The leaves are alternate, 5–10 cm long and 2.5–5 cm wide and are a glossy green.
Flowers are minute, white and borne on panicles or heads near the ends of branches. They have a distinctive odour and attract large numbers of small flies.
The fruit is a round berry 8 mm in diameter. The berries are green when immature and ripen to black. They contain a single seed about 5 mm in diameter.
In dense stands, second generation trees are more upright with long, slender boles and small canopies. Young trees tend to form multiple stems after fire or other injury.
Camphor laurel is easily identified by the pungent camphor odour arising from crushed leaves or exposed wood. In its native habitat there are three distinct types based on the major oil components of either camphor, cineole or linalool. The camphor form is most common in Australia.
Where is it found?
In NSW, heavy infestations occur in the Lismore, Tweed, Byron and Ballina councils and parts of the Orara Valley west of Coffs Harbour. It is estimated that there is some 91,000 hectares of land containing camphor laurel in the Tweed, Brunswick and Richmond river catchments. Camphor laurel is continuing to spread in these areas and is also spreading southwards.
Camphor laurel is native to China and Japan. It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental species about 1822 and was established in the Sydney and Brisbane Botanic Gardens in 1854 and 1861 respectively.
Maps and records
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Recorded presence of Camphor laurel during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Camphor laurel grows in areas of high rainfall, averaging 1000 mm or higher. Camphor laurel can grow on a wide range of soil types but especially prefers fertile flood plains and soils derived from basalt.
Camphor laurel invades habitats where forests have been cleared or disturbed, usually for pasture or cultivation. Areas that remain inhabited by rainforest are not invaded, except along tracks cleared for logging.
Camphor laurels are spreading further up catchments and hillsides, and westward into drier areas with poorer soils.
How does it spread?
Camphor laurel seeds germinate more readily after ingestion by birds. It is thought that the fruit contains a germination inhibitor to delay germination until seeds are separated from the fruit. Viability is usually at least 70 per cent in the first year, decreasing rapidly in the second year. Some seeds remain viable for 3 years. Germination extends over a period of 4 to 20 weeks. This adaptation ensures the spread of viable seeds over time, leading to favourable weather conditions for germination.
Seedlings do not grow quickly until the root system becomes established, after about 1 year. In closed stands of camphor laurel, seedlings grow slowly, along with some native species, until the stand is disturbed, allowing more light to enter and seedlings to grow more rapidly.
Camphor laurel starts flowering after approximately seven years, depending on location. Flowering occurs in spring and fruits mature in autumn.
The ripe fruit is ingested and spread by a number of species of birds, including pied currawongs, flock pigeons, magpies, figbirds, olive-backed orioles, blue-faced honeyeaters and black-faced cuckoo shrikes. As a result trees readily establish along fencelines and under powerlines.
Acknowledgements
Authors: Darryl Firth and Rod Ensbey
References
National Herbarium of NSW. PlantNET – FloraOnline. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Accessed 27 March 2008
More information
Control
Landowners are encouraged to control isolated and scattered camphor laurel trees, particularly if they are small, as soon as possible. Local councils have active control programs for roadsides and reserves. These programs focus on working from the cleaner, lightly infested areas to the more heavily infested ‘core areas’. In core areas, gradual, long-term management programs are being put in place.
A number of techniques are available to control camphor laurel. The technique used will depend on the situation, landscape, number of trees to control and resources available. It is important to plan your control program and take a long-term approach including follow-up treatments, control of other weed species, and planting of replacement species.
Management should aim to increase competition, which will prevent invasion by camphor laurel.
Pasture management
Good pasture management can prevent camphor laurel invasion. Overstocking and overgrazing will lead to pasture degradation and allow the invasion of weeds.
Forestry and horticulture
Establishing intensive land use such as agroforestry or horticulture can prevent the spread of camphor laurel trees, especially on poorer or steeply sloping land.
Mechanical removal
Smaller trees (up to 10 cm in diameter) can be lopped and the stumps treated with chemical. Professional tree arborists can cut down bigger mature camphor laurel trees, mulch the timber and grind the stump out of the ground. This is a particularly good technique in urban areas, roadsides and backyards where a tree needs to be totally removed.
Bulldozing can be done without prior chemical treatment. Bulldozing removes the entire tree but is an expensive option and the resulting disturbance of soil can lead to the rapid re-establishment of camphor laurel and other weeds.
Soil erosion can occur on cleared slopes unless a desirable ground cover is established quickly. Landholders planning to undertake a mechanical control program involving significant soil disturbance should seek advice from the Local Land Services and comply with any relevant environmental guidelines and legislation.
Replacement of removed trees
When planning a good control program, replacement with native species or competitive pastures is vital for long-term weed control. Native rainforest and other species will often germinate underneath camphor laurels but the intense competition by mature camphor laurels dramatically reduces the ability of those seedlings to grow to maturity. When camphor laurels are controlled in stages these native species are able to grow and replace the camphor laurels.
Camphor laurels that form wildlife corridors need to be controlled gradually and replaced with alternative food sources wherever possible.
It is always better to use local natives as replacement trees that will encourage the return of native flora and fauna. The Camphor Laurel Kit produced by the North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee gives a comprehensive list and guide to replacement species. It is available from your local council or www.northcoastweeds.org.au
Value adding
Camphor laurel can be a valuable resource as a commercial timber. Every opportunity should be taken to offset the costs of control by using suitable sized trees which meet specifications for commercial harvest. The harvesting, milling and value adding of camphor laurel in northern NSW is estimated to be worth more than $1 million in annual turnover. Camphor laurel timber is used for a range of products and furniture including tables, kitchen benches, railings, bookcases, chairs, stairs, carvings, sculptures and various items that can be turned on a lathe.
Camphor laurel is also being trialled as a potential fuel biomass in a north coast cogeneration project to produce electricity. Proposals are advanced to use woodchip for fuel to generate electricity at the Condong and Broadwater Sugar Mill cogeneration plants. This will involve the harvest of camphor laurel on a significant scale to supply this project.
Chemical control
Chemical control is an effective way of controlling existing infestations. Herbicides can control trees without the need to disturb soil or other vegetation.
In areas to be cleared, prior herbicide control allows easy removal of the dead stumps and hastens the revegetation process.
Effective control of camphor laurel can be achieved by using either the cut stump, stem injection, capsule injection, basal bark or foliar spray application techniques. The method used depends on the site situation, tree size, access and personal preferences.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 89544 Expires 31/10/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Weedmaster Duo)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: 4 mL product per cut/drill hole. Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Far North Coast of NSW only.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 50 parts water
Comments: Spray seedlings and coppice shoots.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump/scrape stem application for saplings. Stem injection application large trees and shrubs.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 1 part water, 2 mL per cut
Comments: Stem injection for basal diameter up to 25 cm.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: Undiluted, 2 mL per cut.
Comments: Stem injection for basal diameter 25 cm to 60 cm.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Glyphosate 700 g/kg
(Di-Bak G)
Rate: 1 capsule for every 10 cm of circumference (minimum of 2 capsules per tree)
Comments: Capsule herbicide: See critical comments on the label for details on how to apply and seal the capsule in the tree trunk.
Withholding period: Do not allow stock to graze surrounding the treated areas until complete browning of treated tree has occurred.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 350 or 500 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spray actively growing plants, thoroughly cover all of the foliage. Use higher rate on trees over 2 m tall.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump/stem injection application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm .
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 200 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part per 4 parts water
Comments: Stem injection application.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 240 g/L + Picloram 120 g/L
(Access™ )
Rate: 1 L per 60 L of diesel (or biodiesel such as Biosafe).
Comments: Basal bark application for plants with stems up to 10 cm diameter at the base. Cut stump application for plants with stems greater than 10 cm diameter at the base. Do not treat dormant plants in winter. See label for information about biodiesel.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 350 or 500 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Use higher rate on trees over 2 metres tall. Apply as a thorough foliage spray.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 500 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Apply to actively growing bushes.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 600 g/L
(Garlon® 600)
Rate: 170 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spray seedlings up to 3 m tall.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
| Hunter |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
| *To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Disclaimers
Pasture improvement may be associated with an increase in the incidence of certain livestock health disorders. Livestock and production losses from some disorders are possible. Management may need to be modified to minimise risk. Consult your veterinarian or adviser when planning pasture improvement. The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Local Land Services Amendment Act 2016 restrict some pasture improvement practices where existing pasture contains native species. Contact Local Land Services for further details.
Reviewed 2024
