Weed Potential
As a weedCamphor Laurel is invasive dominating habitats including woodlands or forests, along water courses and disturbed or cleared land. It forms dense stands reducing light inhibiting the regeneration of native tree or shrub seedlings and understorey plants.

Mature Camphor Laurel`s shade native trees and produces a massive root system. It is fast growing germinating in shaded positions and quickly pushing towards light, tolerating most soils.

It matures in 5 to 7 years and can live for up to 400 years. Seeds are produced prolifically from summer to autumn and germination occurs during spring. The seeds are dispersed by birds, possums or water and in garden waste.

Controlmethods include physically digging out seedlings and small plants when the soil is moist ensuring that the roots are removed as the slender trunks snap off easily and the plant re-shoots from the base.

Fruiting branches should be bagged and destroyed if possible. Plants can be cut and painted on the stems or drilled and injected in the trunk towards the base with a non-selective herbicide during spring-summer.

Follow up applications may be requires as the tree easily re-shoots. Young plants or seedlings may be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide during spring while the plant is actively growing. Large trees are difficult to control. They may be cut down and the stumps ground but the remaining roots may still shoot.