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Thread: Chinese Tallow tree

  1. #1
    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    Default Chinese Tallow tree

    I asked about this one in another thread, along with suggestions on using wax myrtle, but not a lot of info out there on actually DOING it, so I ask again, because I noticed the new pods on my grandmothers tallowtree. I know where several wild stands of these are and they are an invasive and noxious tree, with foliage that is poisonous to other PLANTS when it falls in autumn.

    So the question stands, has anybody here taken the berries from the tallowtree (Sapium sebiferum) and processed them for wax (same question for myrtles)? Online info is rather vague about the process, and all I can find is that you boil them and skim the oil off the top.
    Last year I tried that, boiling them for about 45 minutes and never got a spoonfull of anything useful. If anyone has information or finds a link, please keep me in mind. It would please me greatly to contribute to the removal of this invasive and toxic species from our countryside.

    Not sure if I need a higher heat, or maybe I need to crush them, or something, but I missed some detail in the process that must be necessary to get a product from the seeds.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member SARKY's Avatar
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    You squeeze the berries in a press. The resulting liquid makes a very sweet smelling bio diesel
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  3. #3
    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    What I can find says that first he waxy coating must be removed, (that's the part I want to keep), before crushing the seeds for cooking oil. Everything points to just throwing them in boiling water and waiting for the wax to melt off.. guess I'll just have to give it another try and see if I get any results.

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