Vernicia fordii Seeds | Tung Tree

Categories：Tree

Tung Tree seeds (Vernicia fordii)

LATIN NAME: Vernicia fordii

COMMON NAME: Tung Tree

Plant Profile

Vernicia fordii, commonly known as Tung Tree, is a tree in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to China. Tung tree is quiet workhorse of old oil trade, and big, heart-shaped leaves hide poisonous, oil-rich fruits. Small, fast-growing, deciduous tree carries large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small, white flowers with pink or red centres in spring, to be followed by round, green fruits with thick shells, full of oil-rich seeds. Pressed oil of seeds has a very long record in varnishes and waterproofings of old trade, and tree is a fine, useful presence of warm garden and the farm. All of this makes Tung Tree a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.

Science & Biotechnology

The species features in the wider study of the spurge family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Tung tree is a practical subject of plant science, and oil-rich seeds have driven studies of drying oils and industrial crops. For practical purposes the message is encouraging: generations of cultivation have produced plants of predictable, well-mannered garden character.

Uses & Benefits

Gardeners value Tung Tree for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Tung tree has been a quiet workhorse of industrial oil trade. Round, green fruits carry oil-rich seeds, and pressed oil dries to fine, hard, waterproof film that has a very long record in varnishes, paints and waterproofings of old trade, before modern synthetics took over. Seeds are poisonous to eat, so tree is one for oil and timber rather than table, and fruits are best kept out of reach of the children. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.

The tung tree yields tung oil, the legendary waterproof finish of wooden boats and fine furniture; the seeds are toxic and purely industrial.

Growing from Seed

Seed is the natural starting point for Tung Tree, and the process is uncomplicated. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.

Our Take

Tung Tree is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Moisture matters most while plants are young; established plants cope with far more.

Tung Tree (Vernicia fordii) - picture 2

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