The tung oil tree originates in southern China and was cultivated there for tung oil, but the date of cultivation remains unknown. During the Song Dynasty, tung oil was used for waterproofing on ships.Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais (2006), 133. The word "tung" is etymologically derived from the Chinese 桐 tóng. The earliest references for Chinese use of tung oil are in the writings of Confucius around 500 to 400 BC.
