What are the characteristics of the latest camphor tree? Detailed explanation of main features

The camphor tree is an evergreen large tree of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae, also known as camphor tree, camphor wood, stinking camphor, black camphor, etc. It is mainly produced in the southern and southwestern provinces and regions of China, and is also distributed in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. It is often introduced and cultivated in other countries. The entire plant has a camphor aroma and can be used to extract camphor and camphor oil. Now let us take a look at what characteristics the camphor tree has!

Strong vitality

The camphor tree has a well-developed taproot and a deep root system, and can resist wind. It has strong sprouting ability and tolerates pruning. Its growth rate is moderate, and its tree shape is huge like an umbrella, able to provide shade and coolness. Its lifespan is long, and it can grow into a towering ancient tree hundreds or thousands of years old. It adapts to altitudes below 1800 m, and in the growth areas south of the Yangtze River and in the southwest, the altitude can reach 1000. It mainly grows in fertile, sunny slopes, valleys, and flat riverside land in subtropical areas.

Strong purifying ability

The camphor tree is a tree species relatively able to adapt to urban environments. It has a strong ability to absorb smoke and dust, conserve water, fix soil and prevent sand, and beautify the environment. In addition, it resists sea breeze and tolerates smoke, dust, and toxic gases, and can absorb many kinds of toxic gases. It can also repel mosquitoes and flies. According to scientists' research, chemical substances released by the camphor tree, such as pinene bicyclic hydrocarbons, camphorene, limonene, and eugenol, have the ability to purify toxic air, and also have anti-cancer and insect-prevention effects, filtering out fresh and clean air that refreshes the heart and mind.

Tall tree form

The camphor tree is very distinctive. It is an evergreen large tree of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae, reaching up to 30 m in height and up to 3 m in diameter, with a broad ovate crown. The bark is rough, yet its texture is very uniform. The branches and trunk divide into two, then two into four, and grow on in this way, neither cutting corners nor adding unnecessary flourishes. The shape of the crown is spherical, drawing a graceful curve in the sky.

Wide range of uses

The camphor tree is an important timber and special economic tree species in subtropical regions. Its roots, wood, branches, and leaves can all be used to extract camphor and camphor oil. The main components of the oil are camphor, pinene bicyclic hydrocarbons, camphorene, limonene, and eugenol. Camphor is used in medicine, plastics, explosives, preservation, and insecticide. Camphor oil can be used as a raw material for pesticides, ore dressing, soap making, varnish, and essential oils. The wood is of good quality, resistant to insect pests and moisture, and is used for construction, shipbuilding, furniture, boxes and cabinets, boards, and carving. The seeds can also be made into pillow cores and have very good medicinal effects.

Landscape value

The camphor tree is an excellent tree species for urban greening. Its branches and leaves are dense, its crown is large and shady, and its tree posture is majestic. It can absorb smoke and dust, conserve water, fix soil and prevent sand, and beautify the environment. It is widely used as a shade tree, street tree, shelterbelt, and scenic forest. Planted in clumps, groups, singly in lawns, or as a background tree, it is majestic and spectacular. Because of its relatively strong resistance to many kinds of toxic gases, its strong ability to absorb and retain dust, and its ability to absorb harmful gases, it is often used in cities and industrial and mining areas.

Unique fragrance

The camphor tree has a special fragrance that can repel insects, so gardeners almost do not need to spray pesticides. Camphor tree seeds are rich in oil, with a capric acid content as high as over 40%. They belong to medium- and short-carbon-chain fatty acids and have special physiological and nutritional effects. The use of camphor tree seeds to develop new oil products is under research.