Chinese Vegetable Tree 15-30 cm (Toona sinensis)
245 SEK
Unit price perEstimated delivery to you: 06 February to 13 February.
Chinese Vegetable Tree: current height 15-30 cm
Common names: Chinese Vegetable Tree, Chinese Toon, Toona, Cigar Box Tree, Chinese Mahogany, Chinese Toon, Onion Tree
Scientific name: Toona sinensis / Cedrela sinensis
Family: Meliaceae
Growth history & use:
The Chinese Vegetable Tree, or Chinese Toon, is a hardy tree with striking foliage that appears in pink-red tones in spring. In autumn, the leaves have a beautiful golden color. The appearance is just the icing on the cake; the tree has a wide range of uses.
Young shoots and leaves are widely used in Chinese cooking. The leaves have a crisp texture and the taste is described as savory, nutty, and onion-like. Another source describes the flavor of the cooked leaves as a complex meal in itself—more specifically: like roasted beans with hints of onion and pepper. "Even those who do not like vegetables might enjoy Toon."
The leaves are rich in vitamin A and contain about 6% protein, 1% fat, 6.6% carbohydrates, and 1.5% various minerals.
The leaves are most often prepared as part of stir-fries or by steaming/boiling to eat as a side vegetable. They can also be fried in a tempura-like manner.
Young shoots and leaves are also eaten in salads or pickled. In China, leaves and shoots are dried and then ground to be used as seasoning.
The most common uses in the few Swedish homes where the plant is grown seem to be making broth from leaves and shoots, making pesto, or adding pickled leaves to a hamburger.
A tea-like drink is made from leaves and shoots, sometimes also from the fruit. Leaves and shoots are heated briefly in a pan and then allowed to dry slowly.
Roots, bark, and fruit have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.
The wood is highly valued and resembles mahogany with its dark red color—it is used to make furniture, window frames, and more.
The wood also has a delicate scent and is burned in temples as incense.
Sometimes called synonymously the Cigar Box Tree because the wood was historically used to make cigar boxes. However, it was mostly the relative T. odorata that was used for this purpose.
It produces beautiful white/pink flowers in large clusters hanging from the branches in August. The flowers are sweet-scented and skilled at attracting pollinators.
In Chinese culture, T. sinensis is often used symbolically to represent the father figure.
From a distance, Chinese Toon can sometimes resemble bamboo when it sends out root shoots and thus forms a grove. Standing under a large tree, the foliage almost looks palm-like against the sky. A striking plant in many ways.
Cultivation:
Originates from East Asia—from North Korea, through China all the way down to western Indonesia.
Easy to care for and fast-growing. Place in a sunny spot. Hardy outdoors in zones 1-2. Has been reported to withstand temperatures down to -25ºC.
Thrives best in moist, fertile, and well-drained soils. Tolerates most soil pH levels. Does not thrive in wet ground.
Can be kept low-growing and topped for continuous growth of young shoots and leaves.
Has good shade tolerance, but the result is slender, elongated trees that reach upwards toward the light.
Placed in sun or shade, the tree will eventually reach about 15-20 meters in height. Chinese Toon can live over 100 years.
Also top as a larger tree for abundant growth of young leaves and shoots.
Sends out root shoots at adult age.
Characteristics:
Longevity: Perennial
Growth position: sun
Height: 15-20 meters
Hardiness zone: 1-2
Subscribe and save 5%!
Chinese Vegetable Tree 15-30 cm (Toona sinensis)
245 SEK
Unit price perOrders received before Sunday morning are packed Sunday to Monday.
See our delivery terms.
In stock - Ready to be shipped
Share
245 SEK
Unit price perChinese Vegetable Tree: current height 15-30 cm
Common names: Chinese Vegetable Tree, Chinese Toon, Toona, Cigar Box Tree, Chinese Mahogany, Chinese Toon, Onion Tree
Scientific name: Toona sinensis / Cedrela sinensis
Family: Meliaceae
Growth history & use:
The Chinese Vegetable Tree, or Chinese Toon, is a hardy tree with striking foliage that appears in pink-red tones in spring. In autumn, the leaves have a beautiful golden color. The appearance is just the icing on the cake; the tree has a wide range of uses.
Young shoots and leaves are widely used in Chinese cooking. The leaves have a crisp texture and the taste is described as savory, nutty, and onion-like. Another source describes the flavor of the cooked leaves as a complex meal in itself—more specifically: like roasted beans with hints of onion and pepper. "Even those who do not like vegetables might enjoy Toon."
The leaves are rich in vitamin A and contain about 6% protein, 1% fat, 6.6% carbohydrates, and 1.5% various minerals.
The leaves are most often prepared as part of stir-fries or by steaming/boiling to eat as a side vegetable. They can also be fried in a tempura-like manner.
Young shoots and leaves are also eaten in salads or pickled. In China, leaves and shoots are dried and then ground to be used as seasoning.
The most common uses in the few Swedish homes where the plant is grown seem to be making broth from leaves and shoots, making pesto, or adding pickled leaves to a hamburger.
A tea-like drink is made from leaves and shoots, sometimes also from the fruit. Leaves and shoots are heated briefly in a pan and then allowed to dry slowly.
Roots, bark, and fruit have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.
The wood is highly valued and resembles mahogany with its dark red color—it is used to make furniture, window frames, and more.
The wood also has a delicate scent and is burned in temples as incense.
Sometimes called synonymously the Cigar Box Tree because the wood was historically used to make cigar boxes. However, it was mostly the relative T. odorata that was used for this purpose.
It produces beautiful white/pink flowers in large clusters hanging from the branches in August. The flowers are sweet-scented and skilled at attracting pollinators.
In Chinese culture, T. sinensis is often used symbolically to represent the father figure.
From a distance, Chinese Toon can sometimes resemble bamboo when it sends out root shoots and thus forms a grove. Standing under a large tree, the foliage almost looks palm-like against the sky. A striking plant in many ways.
Cultivation:
Originates from East Asia—from North Korea, through China all the way down to western Indonesia.
Easy to care for and fast-growing. Place in a sunny spot. Hardy outdoors in zones 1-2. Has been reported to withstand temperatures down to -25ºC.
Thrives best in moist, fertile, and well-drained soils. Tolerates most soil pH levels. Does not thrive in wet ground.
Can be kept low-growing and topped for continuous growth of young shoots and leaves.
Has good shade tolerance, but the result is slender, elongated trees that reach upwards toward the light.
Placed in sun or shade, the tree will eventually reach about 15-20 meters in height. Chinese Toon can live over 100 years.
Also top as a larger tree for abundant growth of young leaves and shoots.
Sends out root shoots at adult age.
Characteristics:
Longevity: Perennial
Growth position: sun
Height: 15-20 meters
Hardiness zone: 1-2
30 day returns
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.