Japanese Tallow Tree

A rare and refined deciduous small tree celebrated for its dramatic late-season foliage display, Sapium japonicum (syn. Neoshirakia japonica, commonly known as the Japanese Tallow Tree) provides exceptional ornamental interest in sheltered gardens. Native to Japan, Korea, and China, it features smooth, oval to obovate dark green leaves with pale undersides, creating an airy, layered canopy throughout Spring and Summer. In early Summer, mature specimens bear slender, upright yellowish-green catkin-like spikes of tiny flowers, followed by small three-lobed capsule fruits. In Autumn, the foliage delivers an extraordinary display, turning rich shades of fiery crimson, purple, and scarlet. Forming a graceful, open-branched habit with pale grey bark, it makes an uncommon focal feature.

Site: Tolerates some exposure. Requires shelter from harsh North-Easterly winds and strong gales 
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained acidic to neutral soil; dislikes chalk and heavy, waterlogged ground
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Season of Interest: Slender Summer flower spikes and vivid crimson-purple Autumn foliage
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 15-25ft (4.5-7.5m) Spread: 12-20ft (3.5-6m)

Images 1 by MalcolmGould cropped and licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Image 2 by Alpsdake cropped and licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Image 3 by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz cropped and licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0