Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
Introduction
With oval, pointed, deciduous leaves and an oval, open canopy, Chinese tallow tree creates soft, dappled shade. The trunk normally dominates, snaking up through the crown sporting major limbs well-spaced along the trunk. Enough light will penetrate to allow lawn grasses to thrive beneath this rapidly-growing, 20- to 50-foot-tall tree. Yellow, terminal flower spikes appear in spring and are followed by brown capsules which burst and fall off, leaving behind wax-coated, white, berrylike seeds, hence the common name, popcorn tree. These berries persist throughout the winter, even after the fluttering, heart-shaped leaves have turned gorgeous autumn shades of reddish purple and have fallen. Tallow tree is one of the only reliable fall coloring trees for USDA hardiness zones 8b and 9a. The new growth in spring is red-tinged. The waxy coating on the seeds is extracted by the Chinese for use in candles and soap and the milky sap inside the twigs is poisonous.
Figure 1. Full Form—Triadica sebifera: Chinese tallow tree Credit: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Triadica sebifera
Pronunciation: try-uh-DEE-kuh suh-BIFF-er-uh
Common name(s): Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree, tallow tree
Family: Euphorbiaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 8A through 11 (Figure 2)
Origin: native to China and Japan
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: Invasive and not recommended
Uses: attracts butterflies
Figure 2. Range
Description
Height: 20 to 50 feet
Spread: 25 to 35 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular
Crown shape: oval
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: rhomboid, deltoid, ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate, reticulate, brachidodrome
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 1 to 2 ½ inches
Leaf color: yellowish green
Fall color: reddish purple
Fall characteristic: showy
Figure 3. Leaf—Triadica sebifera: Chinese tallow tree
Flower
Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristics: not showy; emerges in clusters on long spikes
Flowering: spring
Figure 4. Flower—Triadica sebifera: Chinese tallow tree
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: ½ inch
Fruit covering: dry or hard; 3 lobed capsule
Fruit color: white/gray, turns brown with maturity
Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem
Fruiting: late summer to early fall
Figure 5. Fruit—Triadica sebifera: Chinese tallow tree
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; no thorns
Bark: gray, smooth, becoming slightly rough with age
Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure
Breakage: susceptible to breakage
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: thin
Wood specific gravity: unknown
Figure 6. Bark—Triadica sebifera: Chinese tallow tree Credit: Gitta Hasing
Culture
Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; wet to well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Aerosol salt tolerance: low
Other
Roots: can form large surface roots
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases
Use and Management
Chinese tallow tree is easily grown in full sun on a wide range of soils and is particularly drought-resistant and tolerant of compacted and wet soil. The abundant seeds create a multitude of unwanted volunteer seedlings. Roots tend to grow quite large near the soil surface and can be a nuisance in the lawn. There are places in Florida and in the Houston, Texas area where the tree has escaped cultivation and is invading native woodlands and the edge of wetlands. Therefore, use of this tree is not recommended! The wood is brittle and small to medium-sized branches often split from the tree as it grows to 15 years old.
Propagation is by seed or cuttings.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases of major concern.
Reference
Koeser, A. K., Hasing, G., Friedman, M. H., and Irving, R. B. 2015. Trees: North & Central Florida. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
