A Part of Buderim's History

Camphor Laurels in Buderim

By Meredith Walker

Camphor laurels are part of the familiar street scenes of Buderim. Self-sown trees are many times more numerous than planted. The Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) is a native to China, Taiwan and Japan and was introduced to Australia c1822 and to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens in 1861. It was first promoted as an ornamental tree; and from use for shade and shelter on farms, it has spread along the eastern coast of Australia from Nowra to Cooktown.

The first plantings on Buderim are unknown, but the oldest surviving planted trees date from the first decade of the 20^th century. The most prominent are the avenue in the school grounds planted c1910 by children born in 1900, including Fred Mead and Ivy Chadwick.  Opposite, in front of St Marks church (now the hall) two trees were planted by churchwarden John Waters in 1923. The Foote family planted camphors along King Street/Mooloolaba road frontage c1908 of which 7 remain: including at the entrance to Foote Avenue.  In 1911, Bert Fielding planted two weeping figs and a camphor laurel in front of his house (now the Aveo office) in Lindsay Road and later the Fergusons planted camphor laurels in their farm (date unknown) off Gloucester road.

Planted camphor laurels have an unintended legacy in the large number of self-seeded trees. They fruit prolifically in autumn and winter with birds spreading the seed.  Camphor laurels have overtaken and diminished the native vegetation along Martins Creek near Lindsay Road, as shown by comparing the present vegetation with aerial photos from 1920 and 1940.   Places that had few trees of any kind in 1958 now have self-sown camphor laurels, including alongside St Marks carpark. – where natives regenerate,  but their growth and sustainability is inhibited by camphors.

In Buderim Forest Park and Buderim Nature Reserve, the spread of camphor laurels is a constant problem especially at the edges and along watercourses, where seeds can travel considerable distances.  Camphors also invade protected vegetation in private ownership- the areas that contribute so much to the treed look of Buderim.

Camphor laurels have attractive qualities, but they are also a declared Class 3 pest plant in Queensland. Careful planning is needed reduce their adverse impacts and at the same sustain and support the growth of trees in Buderim.

Buderim Tree History – a project of the Buderim Historical Society, support by a Sunshine Coast council community grant and an endorsed B150 project.