- Plant type
- Large tree
- Status in NSW
- Should not be sold in parts of NSW. All land managers have a general duty to reduce its spread.
Camphor laurel was planted for shade and as a garden tree, and birds have since spread it across the farmland and creek banks of the North Coast. Large trees take over paddocks and riverbanks and stop native forest from coming back.
How to identify it
Camphor laurel is an evergreen tree that can grow to 30 metres, with a trunk up to 1.5 metres across. Look for:
- glossy green leaves, paler underneath, 5 to 10 cm long with a pointed tip, that smell strongly of camphor when crushed
- new leaves that are often reddish
- tiny white to greenish-white flowers in spring, in clusters at the ends of branches
- round black berries about 10 mm across, which ripen from about April to June
- rough, greyish-brown bark on older trees
Where it grows
Camphor laurel likes high rainfall and fertile floodplain and basalt soils, which makes the river flats of the Nambucca Valley ideal for it. It moves into cleared and disturbed land such as pasture, fence lines, roadsides, creek banks and power line easements, and it is spreading up the hillsides.
Why it's a problem
- It forms dense stands that shade out native plants and stop native seedlings from growing.
- Its shallow roots can undercut creek and riverbanks, adding to erosion.
- It takes over pasture and reduces productivity.
- All parts are mildly poisonous to people, and the leaves can cause skin reactions in some people.
- It provides much less habitat for native animals than the forest it replaces.
How to control it
Start with isolated and young trees before they produce seed. Trees can start fruiting from around seven years old.
- Pull or dig out seedlings, taking the whole root.
- Lop small trees (up to about 10 cm across) and treat the stump with herbicide straight away.
- Stem injection: drill or cut into the sapwood around the trunk and apply herbicide immediately. This kills large trees standing, without disturbing the soil.
- Large trees near houses, roads or fences are best removed by an arborist, who can grind out the stump.
- Bulldozing is costly and the disturbed soil lets camphor seedlings come back.
Staged removal works best in large stands, so native seedlings growing underneath can take over. Suitable logs can be milled for timber to offset costs. Always follow the herbicide label, and contact your local council weeds officer for advice.
Safety and disposal
- Felling large trees is dangerous. Use a qualified arborist near people, buildings, roads or power lines.
- Clearing steep slopes or creek banks all at once can cause erosion. Remove trees in stages and keep ground cover in place.
- Wear gloves when handling the leaves and fruit.
Stopping it coming back
- Replace removed trees with local native species or strong pasture.
- Avoid overgrazing, so pasture can out-compete seedlings.
- Check fence lines and under power lines each year. Birds that roost there drop the seeds.
