Fast-growing tree with a spreading crown. Leaves are bright green in colour, heart to oval shaped with a pointed tip. In autumn, the leaves change colour to yellow, orange, red and purple. Flowers are greenish yellow in colour and are borne in late spring. Fruit is produced in autumn and this is in the form of capsules containing 3 seeds and covered with white wax. Sapium sebiferum grows to about 13m tall.