Sapium Sebiferum (syn. Triadica Sebifera) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum / Triadica sebifera) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 9m

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Triadica sebifera, long listed under the older name Sapium sebiferum, is the Chinese Tallow or Popcorn Tree. It is a deciduous tree with a rounded to upright crown and broad heart shaped leaves on slender stalks that flutter in any breeze. Autumn turns the canopy red, plum and gold.

It grows quickly, around 1 to 1.5 metres a year, reaching 6 to 12 metres tall by 4 to 9 metres wide. Full sun and free draining soil suit it, though it tolerates wet ground and poor soil better than most ornamentals. Temperate and subtropical districts suit it. Established trees take frost and dry periods.

Use it as a feature or street tree where autumn colour is wanted from a medium sized crown. Slender greenish yellow flower spikes appear in spring and summer, followed by white seed capsules. It seeds freely, so keep it away from creeks and bushland and check your council requirements before planting in northern districts.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Chinese Tallow Tree

What is the Chinese Tallow Tree?

Triadica sebifera, long sold under the older name Sapium sebiferum, is a medium sized deciduous tree also called the Popcorn Tree. It is grown for autumn colour, when its broad heart shaped leaves turn red, purple and gold. White waxy seed capsules follow the flowers and hold on after the leaves drop.

How big does the Chinese Tallow Tree grow?

Mature height is 6 to 12 metres with a spread of 4 to 9 metres, depending on soil and climate. The crown is upright when young and rounds out with age. That size suits medium gardens, verges and park planting where a large shade tree would simply be too much for the space.

How fast does it grow?

It is fast, putting on roughly 1 to 1.5 metres a year in warm conditions with reasonable moisture. Trees reach useful size within four or five years of planting. The trade off with that speed is soft wood, so formative pruning to a strong central leader early on is worth the effort.

When does it colour up in autumn?

Autumn colour arrives from about April to June depending on the district, with cooler inland areas turning earlier and more intensely than coastal ones. The display runs through red, plum, orange and gold, often with several colours on the one tree. Small greenish yellow flower spikes appear earlier, in spring and summer.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Fully deciduous. The leaves drop after the autumn display and the tree stands bare through winter, showing a fine branch structure hung with clusters of white seed capsules. Leaf out is in early spring. The bare canopy is useful where you want winter sun onto a house or a paved area.

Does the Chinese Tallow Tree need full sun?

Full sun gives the best autumn colour and the densest crown. It will grow in part shade, but the colour is muted and the growth becomes drawn. It tolerates poor and periodically wet soils better than most ornamental trees, which is why it turns up on difficult sites. Free draining ground still suits it best.

How do I care for a Chinese Tallow Tree?

Water through establishment and mulch the root zone. Prune in winter to build a strong single leader and remove narrow forks while the limbs are small. It seeds prolifically, so pull seedlings from garden beds and keep the tree well away from creeks and bushland. Check local council requirements before planting in northern districts.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes
Rural Property Planting

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 9m

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Is Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree frost tolerant?

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree Flower?

Chinese Tallow Tree produces slender clusters of pale yellow-green flowers in late spring. While not ornamental, these small blooms form at the branch tips and provide a light pollen source before developing into distinctive three-lobed seed capsules.

Does Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree an Australian Native Tree?

No

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is Native to Eastern Asia, particularly China and Taiwan, where it grows in lowland forests, river valleys, and subtropical regions.

What is the Wildlife Value of Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree ?

Its flowers support bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects, while the seed capsules attract birds and beneficial wildlife. The dense canopy offers shelter for small birds, and the foliage supports a variety of insects, contributing to a more biodiverse garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree need?

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Chinese Tallow Tree performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can manage poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless improved with organic matter to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support healthy growth and reliable seasonal colour.

Is Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree Drought Tolerant?

Is Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Chinese Tallow Tree develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry conditions, though deep, occasional watering during extended heat helps maintain its vibrant autumn foliage.

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How To Plant Your Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Triadica sebifera - Chinese Tallow Tree in Different Soil

Triadica sebifera performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes the Chinese Tallow Tree a good feature plant?
A: Its vivid autumn foliage in red, orange, and purple makes it a seasonal standout, ideal for contrast planting.

Q: Is Sapium sebiferum drought-tolerant?
A: It handles moderate drought well once established, especially in well-drained soils.

Q: Does it create a mess with its fruit?
A: The white seed capsules can fall and may be noticeable, but they’re relatively easy to manage in garden settings.