Chinese tallow

Chinese tallow tree is a deciduous ornamental tree. It is fast becoming an invasive environmental weed of water courses and native vegetative areas here in Australia. It is beyond me why trees such as this are favoured by landscapers over our native trees. It is actively promoted by gardening websites and at nurseries as 'an attractive deciduous tree for warm temperate and sub-tropical climates'. Seeds can be imported into Australia.

Originally introduced to Australia as an ornamental tree for its beautiful coloured foliage as seen here. Naturalised populations have now been identified in various locations throughout southeast Queensland - the largest infestation of Chinese tallow tree exists near Casino, New South Wales. Smaller infestations are evident throughout the North Coast, Central Coast and New England regions here in New South Wales.