Chinese Tallow: Multipurpose Tree Crop

Edward Glumac and Joe Cowles

The Chinese tallow tree, a naturalized species that thrives and proliferates in the heavy clay soils of the Gulf coastal region, could be exploited economically if harvesting techniques and markets are established. Rapid, pest free growth of 10 t/ha-yr of dry wood make it suitable for energy cropping under a short-rotation coppicing system. The tallow tree bears seed after 3 years with yields of up to 12 t/ha-yr from mature wild trees. The seeds contain a saturated solid fat, or tallow, on the outside and an unsaturated liquid inside the kernel. Commercial and industrial raw materials obtainable from the seed are fuel oil drying oil, surfactants, soaps, emulsifiers, cocoa butter, seed meal, confections, detergents, and bioactive extracts. Other economic benefits are as a forage crop for honey production, firewood, soil reclamation, and ornamental planting.