Chinese Toon 'North Red' is a true multi-purpose tree! Often referred to as a "vegetable tree", it's able to provide shade, food, and hard timber!
Although its popularity is only beginning to grow in North America, Chinese Toon is extremely popular throughout China! It's also becoming popular throughout Europe, since its wood is so similar to Swietenia Mahogany (AKA True Mahogany), which is extremely expensive due to the restrictions on its timbering.
Develops small whitish pink flowers on approx. 12" pendulous panicles which last from late spring through early summer.
Its young leaves and new shoots are edible, and typically taste best when they're red. They're quite aromatic, and have a fragrance and flavor that's somewhat onion-like and floral. Use them in stir fry, fried rice, as a side dish, or any other way you choose. It is not suggested to store the harvested leaves and shoots of this plant, so use them while they're fresh.
Although this tree will grow over 50' tall if allowed, many growers keep their Chinese Toon Trees trimmed in an almost hedge like shape, which maximizes their vegetable harvestability.
Known to be extremely rapid growing, sometimes reaching a height of 60' in as little as 10 years!
In addition to the benefits offered its edibility and timber, Chinese Toon is considered by some to have medicinal properties.
