tung

Tung is a name used in several contexts, most commonly in relation to oil, a tree, or as a surname in Chinese communities. In English usage, it often refers to tung oil, a drying oil obtained from the seeds of the tung tree.

Tung oil is derived from seeds of the tung tree, notably Aleurites fordii and Aleurites montana. The oil dries and polymerizes to form a hard, water‑resistant film, making it useful in varnishes, paints, and wood finishes. The term tung oil traces back to the Chinese character 桐 (tóng), which denotes the tree from which the oil is extracted.

The tung tree itself is a fast‑growing evergreen native to southern China and parts of Southeast Asia. It produces hard seeds that are pressed to yield tung oil; raw seeds are not edible and require processing to remove toxins before any use beyond oil production. Historically, tung oil production spread to other regions, but its prominence has declined in many markets due to cheaper alternative oils and synthetic finishes.

Tung also appears as a surname or transliterated name in Cantonese-speaking communities. It can correspond to the Chinese surname 董, and notable individuals include Tung Chee‑wai, a former Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

In broader usage, tungsten is sometimes shortened informally to “tung” in some contexts, but this is less common and context‑dependent. Overall, tung most often refers to tung oil, the tung tree, or the Cantonese transliteration of a common surname.