How to Grow and Care for Camphor Tree

The camphor tree is an evergreen tree with leaves that produce a camphor scent when bruised. The tree's sprawling form and attractive bark, combined with its lingering black drupes and glossy leaves, make this tree an excellent for winter interest. In order to thrive, camphor trees need lots of sunlight, well-draining soil, and high humidity.

Keep in mind, camphor trees can be toxic to people and pets.

Camphor Tree Care

Camphor trees are large, ornamental shade trees that are easy to maintain with minimal effort. Here are the main care requirements for growing a camphor tree:

• Choose a sunny spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Prepare nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
• Water regularly in the tree's first couple of years.
• Fertilizer isn't needed, though you may want to apply a light amount in spring every few years.

Light

The immense round canopy of the camphor tree enjoys full sun and will perform best when the entire canopy is given six hours of sunlight a day. It can tolerate partial shade, but growth and foliage will not reach full potential in these conditions.

Soil

Camphor trees can adapt to a wide range of soils but prefer to grow in fertile, sandy soil. Its pH level is broad and can range from acidic at 4.3 to very alkaline at  8.0.

Water

Keeping the soil around the camphor tree consistently moist soil is key for the tree to thrive. Give young trees 15-20 gallons per week for the first two years. Once established watering can be reduced provided the tree receives regular rain.  

Temperature and Humidity

The camphor tree is native to warm hilly areas in Japan and China with high humidity.  It grows best in areas in the United States with similar conditions in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Fertilizer

Unless the trees shows signs of deficiency, fertilizer is not necessary. Rule out other potential causes of problems and perform a soil test before adding supplemental fertilizer. If needed, a quality slow-release organic tree fertilizer can be applied in the spring according to the correct amounts recommended in the product’s directions.

Types of Camphor Trees

There is only one other cultivar of camphor tree worth noting: C. camphora 'Monum,' which is a bit smaller than C. camphora. Monum camphor trees tend to reach about 40 feet in height, and they have a more narrow spread. However, Monum's leaves are much bigger than that of the regular camphor tree.

Pruning

Pruning camphor trees isn't entirely necessary, but growers often prune these trees to achieve a specific shape. If you wish to prune a camphor tree, the ideal time is in late winter or early spring, when the tree is dormant and has not yet begun to push out spring growth.

Propagating Camphor Trees

The camphor tree may be grown from seed planted in the spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. To propagate via cuttings, you will first want to choose a healthy branch among the tree. Then, using clean sheers, cut below a node.

You can either root your cutting in water or plant it directly in soil. If starting in soil, do not let the soil dry out completely until the young plant is established, but also avoid letting the cutting sit in water.

How to Grow Camphor Trees From Seed

Camphor trees can also be grown by seed. Here are the basic steps:

1. Select a few healthy-looking seeds to hedge your bets.
2. Either direct sow the seeds where you want the tree(s) to grow, or prepare a few small pots of well-draining soil in which to put the seeds.
3. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, and be patient. Germination can take months.
4. If you started your seeds in pots, transplant the young trees once they are about a foot tall.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Camphor trees are resistant to many common pests and plant diseases. That said, these trees can occasionally find themselves under attack from mites and scale, and camphor trees also sometimes suffer from laurel wilt.

How to Get Camphor Trees to Bloom

Healthy camphor trees should bloom readily without issue, though their flowers aren't particularly spectacular.

Bloom Months

Camphor trees are spring bloomers, known to bloom from April until May.

What Do Camphor Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The blossoms on camphor trees are small, whitish-green, and star shaped, and they emit a light, fresh smell. These flowers mature into dark, round drupes that stay on the tree through mid-winter.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To encourage more blooms on a camphor tree, make sure it is getting enough light. It should be receiving six hours per day, minimum. If you are still having issues, evaluate the tree for other health concerns.

Common Problems

Camphor trees are low-maintenance and quite easy-going. But if they are planted in the wrong soil type, they can suffer from root rot, and some growers also grow irritated with the tree's fruits as they fall to the ground.

Root Rot

Camphor trees prefer well-draining soil, and if the soil does not drain, root rot can be a big problem. To avoid this, make sure camphor trees are planted in sandy soil and amend the soil before planting if necessary.

Messy Fruit

The small, dark drupe fruits of camphor trees will eventually fall, possibly making a mess on sidewalks and city streets. Consider this when deciding a location for a camphor tree.