Control and Seed Biology of Chinese Tallow Tree

Control and Seed Biology of Chinese Tallow Tree

Candice Prince, Greg MacDonald, Heather VanHeuveln, Leah Aidif

Chinese Tallow Tree (Triadica sebifera)

• Tallow tree, popcorn tree

•Native to Eastern Asia

• Introduced to U.S. in late 1700’s

Chris Evans, Bugwood.org

Cheryl McCormick, Bugwood.org

Uses for Chinese Tallow Tree

•Seed oil used for soap manufacture

•Ornamental:•Attractive fall color• Fast growth•Resist pests



PLANTS Database, USDA, NRCS (2019) Atlas of Florida Plants 2019

Distribution

• Wetlands and uplands• Floodplain and riparian forests, coastal

prairies, mixed woodlands

• Disturbed sites (roadsides, urban areas, etc.) and landscapes

• Full sun to shady conditions

Charles T. Bryson, Bugwood.org

Impacts

• FLEPPC Category I

• Florida Noxious Weed List

• Spreads into undisturbed sites

• Displaces native species

Identification

• Small tree (20-50 feet tall)

• Branches freely• Multiple shoots when

cut or damaged

• Deciduous

• Fissured bark



Identification

• Leaves:• Alternately arranged• Acuminate tips, rounded leaf

bases, entire margins

•Milky sap when leavesare removed

James H. Miller, Bugwood.org


Identification• Flowers: small and yellow, on spikes (8 inches)

• March – May

• Fruit set: begins in July, ripening occurs through November

John M. Randall, Bugwood.org


David DuByne, Oil Seed Crops

Identification• Fruit: 3-lobed capsule (1/2 inch wide)

• Turn brown, split open 3 seeds coated with white tallow aril

John M. Randall, Bugwood.org



Seeds

• Trees produce seeds within 3-8 years

• Large trees may produce over 100,000 seeds per year



Seeds

• Seeds are dispersed by water, birds

•White aril increases buoyancy



Germination Studies

• Studies on seed biology (2014-2016)• Effect of aril presence, storage on germination• Emergence timing and seedbank longevity

• Seeds collected from Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park• 4 harvest times (every 2 weeks), starting in late October

after capsule split

Effect of Aril Presence

• Seeds were soaked in water for 48 hours, and the aril was either removed or left intact

•Non-soaked seeds with intact aril included as control


0

5

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H1 H2 H3 H4

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Control Intact Removed

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•Removal of aril increases germination• Possible barrier to water and/or gases• Increased with later harvest time

•Possible interaction with black mold (Pullularia spp.)?• Grows and feeds on aril

H1 H2 H3 H4

Effect of Storage

•Germination of fresh seed compared to seed stored for 6 months (5 C, 20 C)

•No effects of harvest time or storage temperature

• Storage decreased germination compared to fresh seed• Non-germinated seed still viable (possible dormancy?)

Seed Fill

• X-ray imaging used to evaluate seed fill

100% FILLED 0% EMPTY

<100% PREDATION

Seed Fill

• X-ray imaging used to evaluate seed fill

• 27% of sample seed were compromised:• Lack of embryo development• Predation

• In total, about 50% of seeds produced by a tree are either empty or non-viable

27%

73%

compromised filled

2015 Seed Fill Characteristics of Triadica sebifera

at Paynes Prairie Gainesville, FL

Emergence Timing and Seedbank Longevity

• Exclusion frames placed under trees • Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

• Seedling emergence monitored every month for 3 years


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March April May June July August

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• Soil was excavated underneath the frames and seeds evaluated for viability

•No seeds were viable


• Seedlings emerge in spring• Varies regionally with seasonal warming or other factor• Emergence when canopy is still open

•Canopy closure seedling emergence decreases

•Very limited emergence and seed viability after 2-3 years

Managing Chinese tallow tree

•Prevention

•Mechanical

•Chemical

Prevention

• Limit ornamental plantings

•Remove existing plants before seeds are produced

•Avoid use of mulch that may be contaminated with seeds

•Prevent seed spread and dispersal

Mechanical

• Hand-pull young seedlings (including all roots)• Repeated pulling for resprouts

• Cut tree down to ground level

• Girdling for large trees:• Cut through bark 6 inches above the ground,

circling the tree base

• Repeated mowing on small saplings and resprouts


Chemical – Foliar Applications

•For seedlings, resprouts, and small trees

•Fall treatment

• Imazamox, imazapyr, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor

•Check your labels, use surfactant

Chemical – Basal Bark

• For individual trees, reducing off-target damage

• Triclopyr ester with basal oil

• Apply 12-15 inches above ground on the trunk

• Wet thoroughly for good control

Chemical – Cut Stump


•Cut trunks horizontally at or near the ground level

• Triclopyr, imazapyr, aminopyralid

Chemical – Incision Point Application (Hack and Squirt)


•One hack for every 6 inches DBH

•Aminocyclopyrachlor (100%)• 0.5 mL per hack

Hank Stelzer

References:

• Enloe SF, Langeland K, Ferrell J, Sellers B, MacDonald G. 2018. Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida. University of Florida #SP 242. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg209

• Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/triadica-sebifera/

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg209

https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/triadica-sebifera/

Acknowledgements

• Michael Durham

Thank you! Questions?

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Control and Seed Biology of Chinese Tallow Tree