Description
Medium to large tree native to Taiwan, Japan and China. Crushed leaves and cut branches have a distinct camphor smell. Green branchlets.
Photo: Mark Crocker
Why it’s bad Camphor Laurel’s toxic chemicals poison local fauna and suppress competition from native plants. Colonises disturbed waterways, becomes dense forest.
Control Saplings can but cut at ground level and the stumps painted with herbicide. Larger trees need professional crews.
Alternatives Brown Myrtle, or any of the local Cryptocarya species especially Three Veined Laurel (Cryptocarya triplinervis). Also Murrogun, Pepperberry, Jackwood and Glossy Laurel.
Native alternative
Brown Myrtle (Choricarpia leptopetala) Photo: Mark Crocker
