The camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is an evergreen tree that grows as tall as 50 feet. It has thin, shiny green leaves, a grayish-brown trunk, tiny yellow blossoms and small black berries. Camphor trees are susceptible to certain disease, pests and cultivation issues.
Diseases
The Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillium dahliae fungi cause verticillium wilt in camphor trees. The pathogen clogs up the tree's water-transport system, causing wilting, dieback and tree death. The Botryosphaeria dothidea fungus causes Botryosphaeria canker, which results in sunken, discolored areas of diseased bark called cankers, defoliation and branch dieback.
Pests
Mites, scales and aphids frequently attack camphor trees. Mites are arthropods that are too tiny to be clearly seen without magnification. Scales are small immobile insects without evident heads, legs or other noticeable body parts. They often look like part of the plant. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that vary in color depending on what they have eaten. All three species suck plant juices from the foliage, causing yellowed or stippled leaves, leaf distortion and loss of foliage.
Cultivation Issues
Camphor trees that receive too many or too few nutrients or minerals may develop branch dieback and yellowed or scorched leaves. Too much or too little water causes wilting and leaf loss.
Tags: branch dieback, Camphor trees