Camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora) have been widely planted all over Australia as a park tree because they provide amazing shade in our harsh Australian summers.

Although a bushland weed, in some locations there may be benefit in keeping these large exotic trees. Carbon is removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and is stored for long periods of time in the wood of trees.  Camphor laurels may also provide a substitute food source for some animals, particularly where the native feed trees have been lost. In some instances, camphor laurels can provide shaded roosting places for flying fox species and may alleviate the effects of very hot conditions on flying fox camps. Whilst a weedy species, camphor laurels may be providing ecosystem services on several levels.

The removal of large woody weeds such as camphor laurels is likely to result in a rapid change of environmental conditions in that location.  Removing a tree with a dense canopy can, for example, increase the light intensity and heat on the site.  The rapid loss of canopy cover can also affect the habitat value of the tree. In addition, removing large trees is usually costly.  A planned and staged approach to controlling large woody weeds like camphor laurels is often preferable.   

At the Niagara Park Bushcare site there are many large camphor laurels with some emergent rainforest species. A long term, cost effective and low impact trial for controlling the camphor laurels has commenced. The trial involves planting native figs into the forks of some of the camphor laurels. 

The purpose is to provide improved habitat for fauna over time… albeit a long time. Eventually the camphor laurels will be ‘strangled’ by the native fig.  However, in the meantime the camphor laurels will continue to absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.  According to Carbon Pirates, a 10-year-old tree is estimated to absorb about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per year (ref: www.carbonpirates.com). The camphor laurels at Niagara Park are older than 10 years and fortunately for us, not so much for them, have many good forks to establish the native figs.

This is an interesting and alternative approach to controlling these large woody weeds. Rather than removing them we are attempting to replace them with a native species without losing the benefits that these weed trees are bringing to the site. We will be keeping an eye on the planted figs at Niagara Park to see how they are establishing within the camphor laurels and if all goes well we will consider applying the technique at other sites and possibly on other weed tree species.

Central Coast Councils Environmental Volunteer Program thanks the Office of Environment and Heritage who provided 'Saving our Species Melaleuca biconvexa' funding for this project.