In 1772, Benjamin Franklin sent Chinese tallow seeds to Savannah, Georgia; the government planted more along the Gulf in 1900, and the tree now covers 185,000 hectares

In the late 1700s, a shipment of 1772 seeds sparked a significant invasion of non-native trees across southern U.S. forests. The federal planting efforts around 1900 exacerbated this issue, with the Chinese tallow tree showcasing its ability to thrive in various environmental settings. Even now, land managers face challenges addressing this persistent growth and its impact on native habitats, illustrating the long-lasting effects of historical actions on ecosystems.