Tung tree
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| Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw |
The Tung tree (Vernicia fordii) is a deciduous tree in the spurge family originating in China. It is known by many names Tung Oil Tree, Tung-oil Tree, Tungoil Tree, China Wood-Oil Tree, Kalo Nut Tree 油桐 (lit. oil tung) being the formal name. The tung tree is valued for tung oil, which is derived from the seeds of the tree. It has been introduced to Argentina, Paraguay, and the United States for cultivation.
Tung trees are small with a maximum height of 9 m (30 feet) and spreading crown. Leaves of the tung tree are alternate and simple and are 15 cm (6 inches) to 25 cm (10 inches) long and wide. They are heart-shaped or with 3 shallow, maple-like lobes, long petiole, green above and below, red conspicuous glands at the base of the leaf. Flowers are monoecious and attractive with 5 white petals with streaks of red or purple in the throat, several inches across when open. The flower appears before or with the leaves in loose, terminal clusters. The fruit is hard and woody with a pear-shaped drupe of 9 cm (1.5 inches) to 7.5 cm (3 inches). The fruit contain 4 to 5 large, oily seeds initially green in color but ripening to a purple-brown in late summer to early fall. The bark is smooth and thin with brownish gray furrows that develop to a reddish brown.
Tung oil, also called China wood oil or nut oil, has traditionally been used in lamps in China. In modern times, it is used as an ingredient in paint, varnish, and caulk. It is also used as a wood finish for furniture and other wooden objects.
[edit] Cultivation in the U.S.
Just prior World War I, a number of seeds received from the U.S. Ambassador to China were planted in California, but the young trees could not take hold in the dry climate. Tung-nut orchards started in the 1930's in the Gulf coast region (mostly in south Mississippi) were more successful, and a new profitable industry thrived in the area's ideal growing conditions. But many of the trees were wiped out by Hurricane Camille in 1969, and the plantations never recovered. Wild descendants can be occasionally spotted along backroads and Interstate corridors, and may have become naturalized to the area.
