The Chinese tallow tree, a noxious, invasive plant

	Sapium sebiferum, or Chinese Tallow Tree, is capable of invading wildland areas and rapidly replacing the natural communities with nearly monospecific stands of Sapium sebiferum. It is such an annoyance it has been included in The Nature Conservancy's list of The Dirty Dozen: America's Least Wanted.
	Characteristic of woody invaders it grows rapidly, begins reproduction when young (i.e. only three years old), produces abundant viable seed, and can reproduce from cuttings.
	Chinese tallow thrives in river corridors and sandbars and is capable of rapidly replacing existing native vegetation.
	Tallow is toxic to humans and wildlife. Its leaves and fruit are toxic to cattle (It is a member of the Euphorbia family of plants which includes many other toxic or unpalatable plants).
	Chinese tallow trees produce tannins that can alter soil chemistry, which can limit the establishment of native plant seedlings.
	Ecologists believe that Chinese tallow poses a significant threat to the biological diversity found within riparian habitats (the native habitat found along the edge of waterways).
	Seed are spread by birds, and may also float for great distances.
	Sapium sebiferum degrades the surrounding ecosystem by producing tannins and increasing the rate of eutrophication. It is unclear if it produces other allelopathic compounds.
	The white sap may be a skin irritant or diuretic.
	It is extremely popular among landscapers in the USA, Australia, and elsewhere, although it is becoming illegal to sell in some areas.

Ailanthus seeds

Chinese tallow trees can invade wildland areas and swiftly replace natural communities with nearly monospecific stands. It alters natural soil conditions, creating an inhospitable environment for many native species.

Ailanthus seeds

Chinese tallow trees were first reported in the wild in California along the American River Parkway, and has spread to infest wetlands and riparian corridors in northern California.

CONTROL METHODS
Hand removal of trees is usually limited to trees less than three feet tall or to small infestations. Sawing down large trees will help to remove seed sources. Fruit should be removed from fallen trees in order to reduce the number of seeds present. In order to prevent resprouting, however, cut-stumps will require an herbicide application. Heavy equipment can be effectively used to control tallow trees on canal banks and in areas where soil disturbance and selective species removal are not important considerations. Stumps remaining following such treatment will require herbicide application to prevent regrowth from cut surfaces.

As with all prolific invaders, the key is to successful control is to prevent new infestations or to control them as soon as possible. S. sebiferum has a high degree of reproductive vigor, a wide range of adaptability, and few pests and predators. It produces a large number of viable seeds that are readily dispersed by birds and by water, and which germinate at high rates in a wide range of conditions. If controlled during the early stages of invasion, the potential for successful management is high. The potential for large-scale restoration of wildlands where S. sebiferum has become established, is probably low.

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