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Chinese tallow is a fast-growing weedy tree with milky sap.
It grows up to 30 feet tall and often spreads by root sprouts.
Its slender limbs and branches droop and are easily broken.
The leaves are hairless, alternate with smooth margins and have
diamond-shaped blades that are shorter than the petioles. They
turn bright yellow, orange or red in the fall. The flowers have
no petals and grow in 2 to 6 inch drooping spikes at the end
of each branch. The walls of the three-celled fruit fall readily
at maturity, leaving three chalky white seeds, which may remain
attached through the winter. These nutlike seeds have a hard
coat covered by tallow that becomes black with weathering.
Distribution and habitat
Chinese tallow was introduced from Asia and is planted widely
as an ornamental. Birds disperse the seeds, and it has escaped
in the southeastern part of Texas, where it can be a significant
invading woody species.
Regions: 1, 2,
3, 4.
Toxic agent
The toxic agent is unknown. The terminal leaves and green
fruit have a strong purgative effect on the bowels of cattle.
The consumption of 1 percent of an animal’s weight in green
plant material can produce clinical signs within 12 to 14
hours. Losses may occur when cattle are forced to consume
significant amounts of the plant in the seedpod stage. Sheep
and goats are not affected significantly. These trees are
more significant as a cause of decreased forage production
than as a toxic plant.
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Livestock
signs
The signs of poisoning are associated with gastrointestinal
disorder and may include:
• Diarrhea (sometimes with free blood)
• Anorexia
• Listlessness
• Weakness
• Dehydration
Integrated management strategies
Animals consuming the plant and suffering from diarrhea
often recover when it is removed from the diet. Chinese
tallow is unpalatable and is not consumed when good grazing
management practices are followed. Pastures with many tallow
trees should not be severely overgrazed, especially in early
summer when the trees are putting on fruit. Severe populations
of Chinese tallow may be controlled with broadcast applications
of Grazon P+D® (2.5 pounds a.i./acre) or Tordon 22K® (0.5
pound a.i./acre) in the spring or fall. Individual plants
may be controlled with spot applications of Velpar L® at
4 ml per 1 inch of stem diameter or with a basal stem treatment
of 25 percent Remedy® plus 75 percent diesel fuel oil.
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