Chinese Tallow

Resource Concern - Invasive Species

Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum) represents a significant invasive species problem in several East Texas counties. In many instances it has invaded and eventually dominated habitats ranging from marshes to river bottoms to uplands. It adversely affects the diversity of native plants in coastal prairies, bottomland hardwoods and upland forests.

Eligibility Criteria

Acreage eligible for cost-share assistance is fields where Chinese tallow invasion has changed or has the potential to change the land use and significantly reduce the diversity of native plants.

Screening Priority

Chinese tallow invasion in the Gulf Coast Prairie (150A) and Western Gulf Coast Flatwoods (152B) - Applicable Counties:

All applications will be accepted and ranked for funding.

Chinese tallow invasion in southern East Texas Timberlands (133B)
 

Applications will be accepted and ranked for funding.

Chinese tallow invasion in locations other than high and medium priority locations. Applications will be ranked only if funds are available after high and medium priority applications have been funded.

Eligible Practices

• Brush Management (314)
• Forest Stand Improvement (666)
• Forestland Site Preparation (490)
• Tree/Shrub Establishment (612)
• Pasture and Hayland Planting (512)
• Range Planting (550)

Cost Share Rates

• Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers - 90 Percent
• Beginning Farmers/Ranchers - 50 Percent
• All others -50 Percent
  

Ranking Criteria

1. Do you have a written conservation or management plan developed for your land? (Yes-100 points, No-0 points)
2. Will control be followed with tree or grass planting? (Yes-95 points, No-0 points)
3. Will you plant trees on the land where you controlled the tallow? (Yes-90 points, No-0 points)
4. Will you plant native grasses on the land where you controlled the tallow? (Yes-85 points, No-0 points)
5. Will you do follow-up on other tallow infestations? (Yes-80 points, No-0 points)