Tung oil or China wood oil is a drying oil obtained by pressing the seed from the nut of the tung tree ( Vernicia fordii ). Tung oil hardens upon exposure to air (through polymerization ), and the resulting coating is transparent and has a deep, almost wet look.
What is a tung tree?
The oils produced from the seeds of the tung tree (also known as the China wood oil tree) [ Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) and Vernicia montana (Lour.)] (previously Aleurites fordii and Aleurites montana) ( Govaerts, 1966) occupy an important niche in the industrial vegetable oils market.
Are tung oil trees poisonous?
This plant has high severity poison characteristics. The tung oil tree is native to southern China in the spurge family. It can grow 40 ft tall and has hibiscus-type flowers that are white with red centers that bloom before the leaves appear. It can grow in full sun but also tolerates being an understory tree and is not very cold tolerant.
Are tung trees native to China?
Tung tree ( Vernicia fordii ), a woody oil plant native to China, is widely distributed in the subtropical area. Tung trees have been planted for tung oil production or ornamental purposes for more than 1000 years in China .