Where is the ideal location to plant a macadamia tree?

When thinking about how to grow macadamia trees, the first thing to do is think about location. This subtropical evergreen tree is generally suited to USDA zones 9-11, where winter lows are above 25°F (-4°C). Flowers and young nuts get killed by frost, so don't think about them if you can't grow them in the zone. For example, areas with coasts can demonstrate the local climate found in its native Australia.

Spacing your trees will prevent sickness and improve yields. Plant trees 30-50 feet apart to allow airflow and sunlight. A client had mold losses of 40% in a crowded orchard. After thinning a 35-foot statement, they increased yields by 25% in two seasons.

Wind protection is often neglected. Wind above 25 mph will strip flowers and young nuts from trees. Installing living windbreaks such as grevillea or shade cloth barriers may help. One grower reduced nut drop by 60% using loosely staggered rows of bamboo.

Don't try to hurry soil preparation. If you'd like to know the soil pH, test it with a digital meter, and amend the soil with either sulfur or lime, as appropriate. For heavy clay soils, I will mix 4 lbs of perlite with each cubic yard of soil. Raised garden beds work well in areas where water pools due to the rain.

It isn't optional when it comes to cross-pollination.Beaumont and James cultivars (grouped within 50 feet) effectively transfer pollen to one another by bees. An example is one isolated tree that produced only 10 pounds, whereas when paired, trees produced an average of 40 pounds of fruits.

Read the full article: How to Grow Macadamia Trees: A Complete Care Guide