Tung-oil Tree
Aleurites fordii
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
The tung oil tree is a handsome medium-sized deciduous tree, broad and spreading, with large heart-shaped to lobed leaves up to ten inches across and showy panicles of white flowers, blushed pink and orange at the throat, that open in spring before or with the new foliage. Few flowering trees of the Deep South make a fuller spring show.
Aleurites fordii earns the name from the large seeds, which yield tung oil, a fast-drying oil long prized for paints, varnishes, and wood finishes. Native to China, the tung oil tree was once an important crop across the Deep South, and the legacy of those old groves lingers: the tree grows fast and self-sows freely, naturalizing along roadsides and field edges where the climate is warm. The seeds and leaves are poisonous, so the tree is grown for ornament and history rather than harvest, and is best sited away from where children might gather the fallen fruit.
Give the tung oil tree full sun to light shade and well-drained soil, with room for the wide, rounded crown to spread, and enjoy one of the showiest spring-flowering trees for zones 8 to 10. A vigorous grower that sows volunteers freely, the tree is happiest where the odd seedling can be pulled or mown, and gathering the spent fruit keeps a planting in bounds. Striking as a lawn specimen or at a woodland edge, the bold foliage casting a generous summer shade, a piece of agricultural history for the warm-climate garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 12–25 Feet · Spread 15–20 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
White, pink-and-orange-throated flowers in showy spring panicles
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.