Macadamia Nut Tree

Macadamias are touted as some of the best-tasting nuts in the world. This variety is commonly referred to as the "smooth shell" species. Its fruit is a very uniform, quality, white kernel that's high in oil content (72% oil and 4% sugar when dry). Inside the round, hard, 1" shell that's enclosed in a smooth, green pericarp, or husk, is the delicious nut itself. Once the fruit is harvested, drying and roasting is recommended in order to maintain the best quality flavor.

Even if you don't care about the nuts, the tree is an attractive ornamental in its own right. It's tall and spreading, growing 20-60' high and 20-30' wide. The glossy leaves, usually occurring in whorls of 3, are oblong and 4-10" long, often with wavy margins. When young, they are either light green or bronze. Small, pure white to cream-colored flowers, borne in pendulous, 4-8" racemes, usually arrive in winter and spring. Its bark is rough, brown, and dark red when cut.

The macadamia tree has proven itself to be hardy in a variety of soils and climates, although it really does best with good drainage and humus-rich soil. It has shown some resistance to drought, but watering is important, especially during the flowering and fruit-setting season. If there is too much moisture stress, the result will be a considerable drop in the amount of young fruit. Give it full sun, except in hot climates, where partial shade is beneficial. Few pests bother it, moderate frosts don't seem to be an issue, and it will fruit in much cooler areas than its natural habitat.

The macadamia has the distinction of being the only native Australian plant, so far anyway, that's grown as a major commercial food crop. The industry in Australia has grown considerably since the 1970s, and commercial plantations can be found from New South Wales to north Queensland. These highly prized nuts are also grown in the US, southern Africa, and central America.

This tree can be planted outdoors or in a large planter on your deck or patio.