Hello Everyone,
Chinese tallow or popcorn tree is a deceiving beauty. As I spotted the tree in the photos below, even though I knew the tree well, I had the urge to own one and enjoy it in my yard. The problem is that if you own one, you WILL own hundreds as will your neighbors. Birds enjoy the seed and sow them liberally across their flight path and the seed are blessed for their survival mechanisms and we are cursed with their almost perfect germination rate and vigorous growth. Beauty is Deceiving: the Sapium sebiferum (Popcorn tree)
The Popcorn tree got its name from the white seed emerging from a brown capsule that is also a beautiful, endearing feature against the brilliant red background of the fall foliage. The tree grows in a rounded form to a height of 40 feet and is one half as wide. The leaves are shaped like poplar leaves and shimmer, dance, and look beautiful all spring, summer, and fall.
History or legend offers that Ben Franklin presented us with this gift in 1776 and it has since escaped and become a beautiful nuisance to some and an economic disaster to others especially in the south where it “kudzus” its way across native plant areas choking out less aggressive species. In California, where it is dry, the Popcorn tree is used as an effective street tree. Like most invasive plants, they can be benign and highly desirable in some areas but when conditions are perfect for germination and growth of the seedling and there are no natural competitors, rampant, invasive growth ensues.
It is a difficult plant to control. If you see it, don’t be swayed by its inviting colors and cute white seeds. Cut it down if you have it in your yard to get rid of the seed source but know that it “Will be Back”. The remaining roots sprout and continue to survive. It will be a continuous process to keep the roots from getting its food source from the leaves but eventually you can starve it. There are some chemical controls that are effective using herbicides containing tryclopyr, imazapyr and hexazinone that should be applied by a professional following labeled rates and state regulations. We have an Extension Weed Specialist in the School of Forestry at Auburn University, Dr. Stephen Enloe. He offers a home gardening herbicide Fact Sheet that gives ready-to-use products that you can buy at your local garden center that could work but they are weaker concentrations of the commercial products. Go to this web site to get this valuable information See Dec, 2010, Retail Garden Center Herbicides. Repeat applications are often needed. So, don’t be deceived by the beauty, fight it before it gets to be a problem.
Please come back often and enjoy HortShorts as much as I enjoy posting them for you. Your enthusiastic plant response is always encouraged and welcome.
