This work provides details of an activity undertaken to determine the relevant properties of Croton megalocarpus seeds as a source of vegetable oil and its prospects as a non-food crop source of biodiesel. C. megalocarpus is a tree indigenous to East Africa which grows up to a height of 35-40 m and produces seeds which contain 40-45% oil on a mass basis. The seeds were examined and properties determined that relate to their transport and storage/handling characteristics. Oil was extracted mechanically from the seeds using a hydraulic press and chemically from the pressing residue using petroleum ether. The combustion quality of the extracted crude vegetable oil such as the gross calorific value, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen content and ash content were then determined. This study indicates that the oil from the C. megalocarpus tree has a strong potential as a source of biodiesel. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.