Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree)

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Plant description

Sapium sebiferum, the Chinese tallow tree, is a hardy and adaptable medium sized, deciduous tree. It grows to around 8 metres high and wide, and has heart shaped leaves which colour yellow to reddish purple in autumn. It is open and pyramid shaped, and is a good tree for summer shade and winter sun. It flowers in summer with greenish yellow catkins, which ripen in autumn to seed pods. The seeds were used in China for the wax content of the outer seed coat, which was used to make candles and soap. The seed was placed in boiling water, and the resultant wax was skimmed from the top for use. The seed can also be pressed for oil that can be used for lamps. The leaves are used in herbal remedies for boils, for external use only.

The Chinese tallow tree likes a sandy loam, but is happy to grow on a wide range of soil types. Drought tolerant once established. It is a seed grown plant, so the autumn colour will be variable, so purchase your plant in autumn so that you can assess how it colours up. It tolerates frost well. It is rarely troubled by pests or disease.

Propagation is by seed.

The tree has a milky sap which is poisonous.

This tree is also known as Triadica sebifera.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: not specified
Flowering season: not specified

Plant size

Maximum height: 8 metres
Minimum height: not specified

Maximum width: 8 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
High frost tolerance.
Plant is salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Birds, bees, insects.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: dry, moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist, well-drained.

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Winter if bare rooted, any if potted.

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose fertiliser.

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