The Chinese Tallowtree is an invasive that was introduced as an ornamental but has spread across the southeastern US. This tree spreads by seed, that it produces prolifically, and root sprouts. They have high levels of tannins in their leaf litter that will alter soil conditions.
You may have heard it called the Popcorn Tree due to the white, fluffy seeds that are produced. The leaves on this tree are a triangular almost heart-shape with a long pointed tip. The tree itself can reach 60ft tall! You will commonly find this along roadsides, parking lots, forest edges, or any other perimeter.
If you suspect you have seen a Chinese Tallowtree, we recommend reporting it to EDDMapS. This is an invasive species monitoring and mapping site that is maintained by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health of the University of Georgia. You can record a sighting online or on the mobile app (available on both the App Store and Google Play).
You will need to create an account, but it is free to use. On the website, click “Report Sightings” across the top and log in. The next step will ask you what you are reporting. In the case of the Chinese Tallowtree, we will select “Plants”
From there, you will be asked information about where you observed the plant.
Once you choose your location, you will be taken to the form page where you will record information about the pest you are observing, where you found it, the spread of the infestation in that area, and other plant information.
We ask that you do include some pictures of the invasive pest so that our specialists are able to confirm the identification.
Finally, if you have any additional comments or would like to attach information that you identified this species, you will do so at the bottom of the page and hit “Submit Report”
To report a sighting on the mobile app, you will open the app to see this homepage. Click on “New Sighting”
In the sighting report, you will fill in information about the species, add images, attach the Latitude and Longitude for your location. Click on “Save” at the bottom of the page to record this information. There is still another step though!
Go back to the home page and select “Upload Queue”. You will see for my screenshot I have a red 1, meaning that I still need to upload the saved observation.
There are two ways to submit your upload from the queue:
1. Click on the red information button “i”
Select “Save” at the bottom of the page, then “Upload”
2. Click on the three lines on the top right, then select “Upload All”
From there, our team will be able to view and review your report. We thank you for taking the time to record invasive species sightings as this will help our research and aid in receiving resources to eradicate such invasives.
