U.S. Bureau of Census figures 1,587,000 pounds of tung oil were consumed during February of 1982, representing a 1,307,000 pound drop from January. Energy During World War II, the Chinese used tung oil for motor fuel. It tended to gum up the engines, so they processed it to make it compatible with gasoline. Biotic Factors Bees are needed to transfer pollen from anthers to pistil. When staminate and pistillate flowers are on separate trees, one staminate tree for 20 pistillate trees should be planted in the orchard.
Pollination can occur over several days.
Insect pests are not a serious problem, since fruit and leaves of tung trees are toxic to most animal life. Nematodes Meloidogyne spp. References Duke, J.A. 1978. The quest for tolerant germplasm. Duke, J.A. 1979.