Trees grow best if planted on hilltops or slopes, as good air-drainage reduces losses from spring frosts. Contour-planting on high rolling land escapes frost damage. Tung makes its best growth on virgin land. Green manure crops and fertilizers may be needed. Cultivation Tung trees may be propagated by seed or by budding.
Seedlings generally vary considerably from parent plants in growth and fruiting characters.
Seedlings which have been self-pollinated for several generations give rather uniform plants. Only 1 out of 100 selected 'mother' tung trees will produce seedlings sufficiently uniform for commercial planting. The budded trees, which are genetically identical with the original tree, will provide an adequate supply of seed satisfactory for planting. Seedlings are used for the root system for budded trees. Later, original seedling top is cut off and a new top grown for p the transplanted bud, making the tops of budded trees parts of the parent tree.