Sapium sebiferum seeds Chinese Tallow Popcorn Tree Seeds
LATIN NAME: SAPIUM SEBIFERUM
COMMON NAME: Chinese Tallow Tree
The Chinese tallow tree candles the small, fast-growing, deciduous tree with the broad, diamond-shaped leaves that turn the rich reds and the golds in the autumn and the small, yellow-green flowers that open in the slender spikes through the summer, the three-lobed capsules following and splitting open to show the round, white, waxy seeds that cover the branches like the small candles into the winter. It likes the sun, and the moist, well-drained soil.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The waxy seeds of the Chinese tallow tree give it a long place in the research on the fast-growing warm-climate trees of the spurge family, and the sebiferum species appears in the studies of the seed wax chemistry and the candle and soap making. The work looks at the autumn colour, the way the white seeds cover the branches, and the seed biology. The industrial chemists value the seed fat, and the growers of the quick shade and the autumn-colour trees keep the species in their catalogues.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
In the warm garden, the Chinese tallow tree candles the winter branches with the white seeds. The waxy seeds have served the candles and the soaps for the ages, the autumn foliage lights the garden, and the tree gives the quick shade and the warm colour. It grows well in the moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Fast, candle-seeded and autumn-bright.
To grow the Chinese Tallow Tree from seed, press the fresh seeds into the loose, gritty drills of the open bed in the autumn, then cover them lightly, keep the drills gently moist, and the young trees appear in the spring.
Keep the drills gently watered, and give the young trees the open, sunny spot. The candle seeds come in a few seasons. Stand the young trees in the sunny, deep ground, and the candle seeds will whiten over the autumn.
Triadica sebifera, also known as Sapium sebiferum,
the Chinese tallow is a fast-growing deciduous tree with a rounded or conical crown and an open, airy look. It can get up to 40 ft (12.2 m) tall with a 20 ft (6.1 m) spread. The leaves are diamond shaped, abruptly pointed at the tip, and 2-3 in (5-7.6 cm) long. They flutter in the breeze like poplar leaves. In fall the leaves turn brilliant shades of scarlet, orange, yellow and maroon. The springtime flowers are in yellowish green catkins on the branch tips. The fruits are 3-lobed brown capsules that open to reveal three white, waxy seeds that resemble popcorn.
Culture
Chinese tallow tolerates almost any soil and can grow 5 ft (1.5 m) tall in its first year.
Light: Full sun or partial shade.
Moisture: Chinese tallow is only moderately drought tolerant; seedlings especially, need watering during dry periods.
This is one of the best trees for autumn color in warmer areas.Very attractive small deciduous tree with broad heart shaped leaves. It has crimson autumn foliage with some yellow, orange and ruby-red leaves.
It is semi deciduous in hot climates and deciduous in cooler climates. The leaves are attractive as they range from yellow to orange, red and purple in autumn, even in a frost free climate. Loves full sun and a must for the colorful tree lovers.