Comparative studies of bark structure, lacquer yield and urushiol content of cultivated Toxicodendron vernicifluum varieties

The bark structure and major chemical composition of raw lacquer in four cultivated varieties of the lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F. A. Barkley, were characterized using the paraffin section technique and high‐performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The four varieties had roughly similar bark structures; however, they differed in bark thickness, raw lacquer yields and urushiol homologue content. Laticiferous canal diameter and bark thickness were positively correlated with raw lacquer yields and triene‐urushiol content. Our data suggest that bark structure, raw lacquer yield and urushiol homologue content are useful indicators for distinguishing among these four varieties.