Chinese tallow.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 50 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 8 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

This tree is incredibly adaptable and thrives in most soil conditions once established. Watch for rapid spread in your garden as it self seeds very easily. It prefers plenty of sun to maintain its vibrant fall color.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist while the tree is young.

Feeding

A balanced fertilizer applied in early spring is sufficient.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter season to maintain shape.

Repotting

Only necessary if grown in a container for bonsai purposes.

Soil

Tolerates various soils including wet sites

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral

Temperature

-12 to 38°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans if ingested, causing severe gastrointestinal distress.

Pets

The leaves and fruit are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.

Children

Keep children away from the white, waxy seeds as they are attractive but highly toxic if swallowed.

Contact allergens

The milky sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people during the flowering season.

Edibility

The seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped leaves with pointed tips
• Small white waxy fruit clusters
• Smooth gray bark on mature trunks
• Yellow to red autumn foliage

Height

6 to 15m

Spread

4 to 10m

Leaves

green, yellow, red, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

white, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Leaf spot · Fungal infections can cause spots on foliage during humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

This plant is so invasive that it is best not to include it in any garden guild.

Similar species

• Black Tupelo · It offers similar fall color and is a much better native alternative.

Science

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Genus

Triadica

Order

Malpighiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

East Asia, including China and Japan.

Conservation

This species is considered highly invasive in many parts of the United States and is often prohibited from sale or planting.

It thrives in disturbed areas and wetlands, where it forms dense thickets that displace native vegetation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, bird food source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shade tree, historical wax production

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this a good tree for my backyard?

No, it is highly invasive and spreads aggressively, often outcompeting native plants.

How do I get rid of it?

You must remove the entire root system or apply herbicide to the stump to prevent resprouting.

Where the name comes from

The name Triadica refers to the three-part fruit, while sebifera means wax-bearing, referring to the waxy seed coating.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as the Chinese tallow tree.
• The leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall.
• It was introduced to the US in the 1700s for potential oil production.
• The seeds resemble popcorn when the outer capsule splits open.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs