I named this Totoro website The Camphor
Tree because, supposedly, O Totoro lives in a giant camphor tree.
Interesting
Camphor Tree Information
Camphor trees are amazing flora. They live for a very long time and
there is much folklore surrounding them. In ages past, he trees provided
people with beautiful wood for crafts as well as camphor, which was
used as medicine.
The camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is the official tree
of many cities in Japan including Hiroshima City. Its Japanese name
is kusu. The largest living tree in Japan is a camphor tree in
Kamou, Kagoshima.
Today, the camphor tree is a popular ornamental plant. You will often
find it in well-established neighborhoods. It's also quite popular for
bonsai.
Although camphor trees are quite beautiful and rich in history, it's
important to note that in many parts of the world (including much of
the Southern USA), camphor trees are seen as invasive. Their seeds spread
easily through weather and wildlife and they easily take root - often
crowding out native species.
Camphor Tree Links
Huge 800-year-old Kusunoki (camphor tree) outside Shoren-in Temple,
Kyoto
The Official Tree of Hiroshima City (a camphor tree that survived
atomic bombing)
A giant
camphor tree in Atsuta Jingu.
Information about
Camphor Trees as Invasive.
San
Diego Union-Tribune, "Old Trees Tend to Grow on Residents"
NRRPC - Two
Types of Camphor Tree?
Botanical.com - A Modern Herbal: Camphor
California
Registry of Big Trees: Camphor Tree in Sacramento
Please do not email me with your questions regarding camphor trees.
This is the only page on Totoro.org that discusses camphor trees at
all. This is a Totoro website, not a camphor tree website.
Indievisible
