Camphorwood is a timber name that can refer to more than one species, not a guarantee that a board came from the camphor tree. The name is used for several lightweight to medium-weight hardwoods, including species in the genus Cinnamomum. If you are buying it for a construction or woodworking project, ask the supplier for the botanical species and provenance before relying on any particular property or use.
What does “camphorwood” mean?
In timber trade usage, camphorwood can describe a group of lightweight to medium-weight hardwoods rather than one botanically defined wood. The group includes Cinnamomum iners, C. porrectum, and C. sintoc. Cinnamomum timber may also be sold as medang, a broader trade name that can include wood from other genera in the Lauraceae family. PROSEA’s timber account explains the group and its trade naming.
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That means a product labeled “camphorwood” is not necessarily from Cinnamomum camphora, the camphor tree. The label alone does not establish the species, origin, grade, or performance of a particular board.
What is camphorwood used for?
PROSEA records uses for the broader camphorwood timber group in interior and furniture work, as well as some construction applications. The source describes these as established timber uses, not as a guarantee that every species or board is suitable for each project.
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- Some of the species we carry are: Walnut, Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Cherry, Birch, Soft Maple, Hard Maple, Hickory, Cherry, and Red Grandis. You will get at least 3 different species
- Decorative interior finish and panelling
- Furniture and cabinet making
- Linings for chests and wardrobes
- Plywood manufacture
- Medium-heavy construction under cover, using heavier timber
Fragrant camphorwood is also described as suitable for moth-proof chests. That reference does not establish pest protection for every species sold under the name or for every finished product.
Is camphorwood the same as camphor-tree wood?
No—not necessarily. The camphor tree is Cinnamomum camphora, an evergreen species; the wider camphorwood trade group includes other species. A Hong Kong government botanical profile specifically reports that the wood of C. camphora has been used in shipbuilding and construction, and that its wood and leaves have a camphor scent. Those species-specific details should not automatically be applied to other woods sold as camphorwood. Hong Kong’s profile of the camphor tree describes that species.
PROSEA gives the camphor tree’s native range as Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, China south of the Yangtze, Hainan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries and has naturalized in Australia. PROSEA’s species account also notes that leaves, wood, and roots yield essential oils whose main component is camphor. Its discussion of camphor’s former use as a medicine and disinfectant is historical, not current medical advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying camphorwood
Because the trade name covers different woods, confirm the details that affect suitability for your job rather than choosing by name alone. Useful questions for a supplier include:
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- Botanical identity: What species is the timber, and can the supplier document it?
- Provenance: Where was it harvested or produced?
- Grade and dimensions: What grade and actual board sizes are being supplied?
- Finish and intended use: Is the material prepared for the interior, furniture, or covered construction application you have in mind?
These checks are especially important if your project depends on a particular species or specification. The trade name itself does not provide a standard grade or guarantee current availability in a particular country.
Does the camphor tree have invasive status?
That depends on location. UF/IFAS classifies Cinnamomum camphora as invasive and not recommended for north and central Florida; for south Florida, its guidance is to use caution and manage the tree to prevent escape. This is a Florida-specific assessment, not a global classification. UF/IFAS’s guidance gives the regional recommendations.
In New South Wales, a Scientific Committee determination dated 23 April 2004 described camphor laurel as introduced, widely planted, fruiting abundantly, and dispersed by birds. The committee rejected a particular proposal to list “most toxic chemotypes” as a key threatening process. That decision was about the proposed listing’s scope; it was not a finding that camphor laurel is harmless or non-invasive. The NSW determination sets out the decision and its context.
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