Tung Oil Tree Plant Care

Tung Oil Tree (Vernicia fordii) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Vernicia genus. Tung Oil Tree is native to southern China, Myanmar, and northern Vietnam. Tung Oil Tree is also known as Chinese Tung Oil Tree, Ford's Tung Tree.

Tung Oil Tree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Tung Oil Tree produces small clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tung Oil Tree every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tung Oil Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Vernicia fordii tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Tung Oil Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil mix with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Tung Oil Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tung Oil Tree every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil mix with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tung Oil Tree is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tung Oil Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Tung Oil Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Tung Oil Tree is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tung Oil Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to vernicia montana plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Tung Oil Tree is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tung Oil Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tung Oil Tree is native to southern China, Myanmar, and northern Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Tung Oil Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.