• Wax from the tallow wood tree seed can be used to make candles.candle image by Fotocie from Fotolia.com
  
  Chinese tallow wood trees, sometimes called tallow trees, have multiple uses. One use is tallow, a waxy substance used in soap and candle making, oil, and seed protein. The wood is also useful. However, the tallow tree is considered invasive in many areas. The Chinese tallow wood tree was introduced to the United States in 1776 by Benjamin Franklin, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
  
  

Furniture

• Chinese tallow wood has been used for centuries as a furniture-making wood in China. The wood of the tallow tree is white and very close grained. In addition to furniture, it was used frequently as the block for Chinese block printing.
  
  

Incense

• When burned, the wood of the tallow tree is fragrant and works well as a base for Chinese incense. To make incense, thin strips of tallow wood are dipped in powdered incense. The smoke from the burning tallow mixes with the smoke of the incense for a very potent smell.
  
  

Dye

• The leaves of the tallow tree can be made into a black dye by boiling them in alum water. This dye can be used for many things, including inks and as a clothing dye.
  
  

Soap and Candles

• The seeds are coated in a waxy substance called tallow, from where the tree gets its name. Tallow wood trees can produce large quantities of this substance, which is subsequently used in traditional soap and candle making.
  
  

Protein and Oil

• The seeds can be ground into a high protein flour that is used in some Chinese cooking. Tallow oil can be used as a substitute for diesel fuel or other fuel. Tallow trees can produce large quantities of oil via the pressing of tallow seeds.