Chinese tallow is a quick-growing, deciduous tree typically growing from 24 to 35 feet with beautiful color changing leaves. It was introduced into the U.S. by Benjamin Franklin in 1772 and is an excellent honey bee plant that results in a good quality honey. The name Chinese tallow tree is given because the seeds can be used to make vegetable tallow. Birds love to eat the "fruit" of this unique tree originally from southern China along the Yantgtze River Valley, where for 15 centuries, it is used to make candles and soaps from the waxy covering on the seed and a black dye produced by boiling its leaves in alum.
It was introduced into the U.S. by Benjamin Franklin in 1772. Also used to produce high-quality biodiesel, it is the third most productive vegetable oil producing crop in the world! Bonsai suitable.
Other common names include popcorn tree, candleberry tree, white wax berry and Florida aspen.