Pterocarya tonkinensis

The Tonkin Wingnut is a fast growing, flowering, shade tree and a member of the walnut family. It is native to Vietnam, China, and other countries in south-east Asia. It is a large tree with a rounded crown that, at maturity can reach a height of 100 feet and an equal spread. It has 17 inch long pinnate leaves, whitish-gray bark that is heavily fissured, and large, foot long, fruit. This tree  thrives in the southeastern region of North America. The genus name comes from the Greek words for wing and nut. Karya is an old Greek name for the walnut tree.

Tonkin Wingnut does best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Soil should be consistently moist, although established trees tolerate some drought and clay soils. The tree will develop an extensive root system and freely suckers.

Tonkin Wingnut is often found in tropical monsoon forest and along floodplains. It is the most endangered of all wingnuts due to destruction of riverbank forests, lack of replacement, and harvesting for timber by local communities.

Tonkin Wingnut shares many features with Pterocarya stenoptera, but lacks wings on the rachis and has a more southerly distribution with earlier flowering and fruiting. There is some evidence that it may be a subspecies of Pterocarya stenoptera. Transitional forms occur where the ranges of two species overlap.

Tonkin Wingnut requires a large open space. It is fast growing and can reach 20 feet high in its first five years. Shallow and aggressive roots can cause damage to sidewalks and driveways.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Fruits, foliage and twigs can produce a good amount of litter on the ground.