1. Large tree native to southeastern Asia; the nuts yield oil used in varnishes; nut kernels strung together are used locally as candles
   "Indigenous Hawaiians traditionally used varnish tree oil for lighting";
   - candlenut, Aleurites moluccana
    
2. Small Asiatic tree yielding a toxic exudate from which lacquer is obtained
   "Artisans harvested sap from the varnish tree to make traditional lacquerware"; "Artisans harvested sap from the Japanese varnish tree to make traditional lacquerware";
   - lacquer tree, Chinese lacquer tree, Japanese lacquer tree, Japanese varnish tree, Japanese sumac, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, Rhus verniciflua

Derived forms: varnish trees

Type of: angiospermous tree, flowering tree, poisonous plant

Part of: Aleurites, genus Aleurites, genus Toxicodendron, Toxicodendron

Encyclopedia: Varnish tree