Bischofia polycarpa, formerly known as the Chinese bishopwood, is a highly adaptable deciduous tree with great landscaping value.

Bischofia polycarpa is a large deciduous tree in the Euphorbiaceae family, reaching over ten meters in height, with an open crown and dense branches and leaves. Its name is linked to the Double Ninth Festival, as its leaves are said to turn red and yellow around that time each year, making for a very beautiful autumn scene. Its leaves are trifoliate compound, with three leaflets on a single petiole, which is an important feature for identifying it.

Bischofia polycarpa prefers a warm, humid climate and sunlight, and it also tolerates wet conditions. It is not demanding about soil and grows relatively fast in moist, fertile sites. It is widely distributed in the Huai River basin and areas to the south in China, commonly found in moist areas along riverbanks, beside villages and along roadsides. Because of its strong adaptability and long lifespan, many old trees are protected as ancient trees.

In landscaping, Bischofia polycarpa is a commonly used street tree, shade tree and embankment greening species, with good shading effects and high ornamental value when its autumn leaves change color. Its wood has an attractive grain and is often used by people to make furniture and building components; its roots and leaves are also said to be used in folk medicine, but a professional should be consulted before use.

For care, young Bischofia polycarpa trees need attention to watering to keep them moist and appropriate cold protection; once established, management is relatively minimal, and it is enough to prune dead and diseased branches regularly. One of its common problems is that the larvae of the Bischofia polycarpa moth feed on the leaves, and in severe cases they can strip a whole tree bare, so pest control should be carried out promptly when an infestation is found. In addition, it closely resembles the evergreen Bischofia javanica, and the two can be distinguished by whether they shed their leaves in winter.