Thread: Where to start with Camphor Laurel

Hi Steve and welcome,
I'm sure the mods will move your posts to a suitable spot.

You should google "camphor laurel allergies" and/or "camphor laurel toxicity". Then report back that CL is no good for public exposure in general but okay for those turners with no allergy response.

Many woodturners seek this timber out and I know some that would risk felling power poles to get it easily.

Seriously - there are recognized allergy issues among a significant percentage of the population. Not large but still significant.


Not sure about other species.
d.

I know someone who uses it for chopping boards. I reckon it would put its smell in the food. Maybe research what the tree is actually used for in China?

Originally Posted by tea lady

I know someone who uses it for chopping boards. I reckon it would put its smell in the food. Maybe research what the tree is actually used for in China?

I've seen chopping boards in camphor advertised as antiseptic.

Originally Posted by dabbler

I've seen chopping boards in camphor advertised as antiseptic.

Yeah! Its just not the taste I usually want in my dinner! Maybe good for amputations?

I would have thought that camphor would not be strong enough for telephone poles. Might grow tall enough, but to fast to have much strengths. Maybe alright for veranda posts or fence posts or something. I thought the chinese used tit for blanket chests and clothing chests because it deterred moths and stuff. But that is without googling or anything!

Originally Posted by tea lady

Yeah! Its just not the taste I usually want in my dinner! Maybe good for amputations?

I would have thought that camphor would not be strong enough for telephone poles. Might grow tall enough, but to fast to have much strengths. Maybe alright for veranda posts or fence posts or something. I thought the chinese used tit for blanket chests and clothing chests because it deterred moths and stuff. But that is without googling or anything!

C'mon Anne-Maria, they used what for blanket chests and clothing chests?

Allan

How's this for one camphor laurel minus trunk. We cut it up on Wednesday at Gympie Qld for a woodturning club and there is more!https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...1&d=1333106066

Hate being the wet blanket but I've never seen Camphor grow tall and straight enough for even the shortest power poles which used to be 8.5 metres back when I was climbing them You might have a chance with the pines except they will need treatment which isn't good for anyone (except the companies that treat them!).
I reckon you would be better to look at milling the camphor and looking to China as a market - they're running short of timber and it's about time we gave them some rubbish back

Originally Posted by WOODbTURNER

How's this for one camphor laurel minus trunk. We cut it up on Wednesday at Gympie Qld for a woodturning club and there is more!

You came all the way from Darwin for a load of Camphor desperate or what

No TITT, I was visiting mates up at the Sunshine Coast after Turnfest. My sinus's don't agree with the stuff and they threatened to load my suitcase up with a slab.

[Hate being the wet blanket but I've never seen Camphor grow tall and straight enough for even the shortest power poles which used to be 8.5 metres back when I was climbing them

Yeah, come to think of it I havent seen a decent sized one either, re power poles

I use mostly Camphor for turning and sculpture. The big bowls are always turned green and usually have strings of wet sap spraying the room and me.I always wear a proper mask to filter the smell. Lucky no allergy. The tree pictured was cut about 1Km from our house. The guys had put a sign up saying free timber but no one took a single piece so I took the whole tree. No, I'm not going to cut a bowl blank with that tiny saw...

Originally Posted by David Pride

No, I'm not going to cut a bowl blank with that tiny saw...

No sense of adventure.

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I really appreciate it. The Camphor does seem to present some issues for use as power poles but we're also looking into other great ways it's used so yes, the blanket chests / chopping boards / bowls / and pens are all great ideas. I hear it can be damaged due to its softness.

TTIT could you please elaborate about the treatment? Or point me somewhere that explains it further (URL)?? It would be much appreciated.

The toxicity of Camphor also presents an issue.

Does anyone know companies / sawmills (not just keen individuals such as yourselves) who would come and remove large Camphors and / or the pine species I mentioned from creeks and waterways in the Brisbane region? At no cost, taking the timber as payment. This is really the end-goal of the project as we're a non-profit community group, not just the power pole situation.

Originally Posted by keeninterest

...........TTIT could you please elaborate about the treatment? Or point me somewhere that explains it further (URL)?? It would be much appreciated.

Have a squiz at this page...
Timber Preservative Treatments - Texhnical - Pine Timbers Products