Camphor
Cinnamomum camphora
Genus: Cinnamomum · Family: Lauraceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Hardwood
Native Range
Asia
Avg. Dried Weight
32 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
900 lbf
Decay Resistance
Durable
Typical Color
Reddish Brown
Stability
High
Outdoor Suitability
Fair
Workability
Easy
Availability
Limited
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Camphor is harder than 31% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Medium
Overview
Professional Summary
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) is best known for its intensely aromatic wood, which has been used for centuries in Asia to make storage chests that repel moths and insects. Lightweight at 32 lb/ft³ with moderate hardness (900 lbf), it's easy to work and naturally resistant to insects.
In Plain English
Camphor is the classic 'moth-repelling chest' wood — its strong, pleasant scent naturally keeps insects away. That distinctive camphor smell is why grandma's cedar chest (which was often actually Camphor) kept woolens safe for decades. The tree is also the source of camphor oil.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Traditional choice for storage chests, hope chests, and closet linings where insect-repelling properties are valued. Also used for furniture and carving.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Strong scent may be overpowering in enclosed spaces. Invasive in parts of the southern US, Australia, and Hawaii.
Native Distribution
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Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar reddish brown color that are easily confused with Camphor. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
- • Harder (Janka 1,750 lbf)
- • Heavier (47 lb/ft³)
- • Harder (Janka 1,070 lbf)
- • Heavier (37 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Texture: Medium to coarse
- • Harder (Janka 1,220 lbf)
- • Heavier (40 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Harder (Janka 2,430 lbf)
- • Heavier (55 lb/ft³)
- • Texture: Medium to coarse