Thread: Camphour Laurel scent

Hi Watson, I'm know expert but our family has had what is called a glory box for at least 50 years, there're quite common, usually portraying an Asian fishing scene, can hold alot of blankets and are made of camphor, finished on the outside but not in the inside for good reason.

Gotcha Harry II.
Thanks, couldn't work it out......I was confusing finishing with what you actually want.

Hi Watson,

I have a camphor Laurel chest that I've finished the inside with two very thin coats of shellac. Now that the shellac has cured, the camphor Laurel scent is still there.

Just out of interest, I have noticed that different trees have different strengths of camphor scent. The 40 CL slabs I bought about 3? years ago do not have as strong a scent as does other CL.

I wonder if the age of the tree when it was felled might have something to do with this?

cheers
Wendy

G'day Wendy,
I've noticed the difference in the strength of the scent......but haven't any idea of the history of the stuff I have.
Interesting thought on the tree age though.

I've noticed that the trees that come from further north seem to have more scent, but that's only from limited experience. They also have a much prettier grain. Camphor from Albury down seems to be fairly plain.

Anyone else noticed that trend?

I think that the grain depends more on what mineral traces are in the soil than anything. We have areas around here where all the CT trees seem to have glorious colours through the grain, while other areas seem to grow very, very plain timber. For example, if I hear of a CT being felled in Box-Hill I'll simply shrug, but replace Box Hill with Mooroolbark and I can't get the trailer and chain-saw there fast enough.

AFAICT, the strength of the smell is more related to the oiliness of the wood than the age of the tree or prettiness of grain. Perhaps it's just a genetic thing, like people with oily skin or smelly feet? ie. some have it, others don't...

This is all purely speculation based on my own observations, of course.

ahhhh, if only foot smell could smell like camphor laurel