Asked on Oct 12, 2014
Would any of you know what this tree is?
by
Sharolyn T
+17
About 10 years ago we were given some tiny trees to plant in our yard. The lady we got them from said she had seen this tree in a local cemetery and asked the family for a start. The family told her it was a 'rubber' tree. If this is what it is, I am fine with that, but I would like to know if anyone else has, or has seen this tree. The tree matures at around 25-30 feet tall and has beautiful large leaves. It blooms in the spring and seems to drop the flowers the same day they open. Some kind of 'fruit' sets on but it doesn't seem to be edible. The fruit is very thick skinned and has 5 large seeds in each fruit. The fruit is about the size of a small orange, starts out green, then turns a mottled red. It continues to darken til it is almost black and falls from the tree. Once it falls, it is easy to open but until then it is very hard to open or peel back. I use a knife to cut it and then it will peel off like a very thick skinned orange. (I live in East Texas if this only grows here?)
This is the tree in the summer, completely leafed out and nice.
Beginning to leaf out in spring.
Full of flowers.
It blooms in a cluster like this.
The bloom falls to the ground right after opening and stays open for a couple days.
The fruit growing.
It blooms in a cluster but only puts on one fruit.
The fruit now, in late fall. The top three seeds are covered in a thick (membrane?) and bottom two I have completely peeled the membrane off.The seeds are hard, almost like a very small black walnut. I haven't tried to open them yet.
10 answers
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I think it's a Tung Oil tree. Here's a link that might help, http://waynesword.palomar.edu/tungoil1.htm
R.V.R. Farris
on Oct 12, 2014
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I think @R.V.R. Farris has nailed it.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 12, 2014
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@R.V.R. Farris Thank you so much for your response and the link! I am so glad to have the proper name of my trees. We have lots of people ask about them because they are very pretty trees. Now I'm wondering what to do with the seeds...if anything. I wonder if it is normal for trees that are not native to our country to be found here in the U.S.?
Sharolyn T
on Oct 12, 2014
- See 1 previous
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@Douglas Hunt thank you for the confirmation!
Sharolyn T
on Oct 12, 2014
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@sharon T Rusk, TX I don't know what the tree is but would like seeds or start if its a tug oil tree thanks, Doris P
Doris
on Oct 13, 2014
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Has it spread or come up in your yard? I live in buffalo not far from you.
Doris
on Oct 13, 2014
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I can give you my phone number or email. When you are coming through I could meet you in Buffalo, would love to have some seeds. Is this coming directly to you or on the net. I really don't want to give my # or email out to everyone.
Doris
on Oct 15, 2014
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Thank you for the info.
Doris
on Oct 16, 2014
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I have one in my yard. I just love mine. The seed is highly poisonous if ingested. Handle seed very carefully. Best to handle as a whole seed. South MS had huge orchards for market before Hurricane CAMILLE. They were wiped out.
Marilyn K
on Dec 28, 2014
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Tung oil had uses at time of storm but don't know if it is still used to process . They are only invasive if you leave on ground for shell to rot. I just have a few trees (3). I love to pick up and give away. The other shell is not poisonous just inside seed.
Marilyn K
on Dec 29, 2014
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