Macadamias - The Aussie Nut !

by Dennis Ting - Gardenworld Nursery

Yes that's right.  Macadamias are the true blue Aussie nut originating in the northern NSW to southern Queensland coastal areas.  Everyone is familiar with these expensive nuts now and knows they are delicious. 

Even better still for us down in Melbourne is that they will grow and crop successfully down here.  I have been growing the trees here for over 10 years now and they all produce wonderful crops of delicious nuts.  Well perhaps not as many nuts as up north but still a worthwhile quantity every year. 

These trees can grow huge in the warmer parts of Australia but I feel that three to four metres might be the limit down here for a grafted tree.  Really great for home gardens and the spare corner where it can be left alone to grow happily. 

What is the appeal you ask in growing these trees in the home garden? 

Firstly they are evergreen trees that look attractive all year round with dense dark green foliage,  New  growth can be an attractive pink or light green colour in spring.  Then the flowers are something else with long sprays of white or pink flowers hanging down throughout the tree in spring.  And then best of all the clusters of nuts that hang inside the tree before ripening in winter through to spring containing the delicious nuts.  A truly productive ornamental tree to be enjoyed!!! 

When you get your first crop, forget about roasting them as they taste so delicious fresh out of the shell!  Mine are eaten so quickly that they never get close to the oven! 

So how do you go about growing a Macadamia tree in Melbourne? 

Firstly find a suitable site in your garden.  I have found that they like to be grown close to a fence or wall to provide shelter on one side until established.  Try to find a frost free situation in the garden as they do not like frost but take the winter cold. They become much tougher with age and will take summer heat well when established. 

Then you need to find a grafted or cutting tree of a reputable variety rather than a seedling as these trees will bear much quicker than a seedling tree that may be cheaper initially.  Also consider two trees of different varieties for cross pollination and  that will increase the size of the crop. 

 Here at Gardenworld we have a range of selected varieties that are suited to our climate and can select a healthy tree for you.   

You need to prepare the soil mixing good quality compost before planting the tree.  A mulch layer will help retain the moisture and aid establishment.  Good preparation will pay for itself. 

Stake the young tree to provide stability and perhaps put some windbreak cloth around the tree for the early years. If the tree is not well branched be prepared to prune back initially to encourage this.   

The beauty of this tree is that limited ongoing maintenance is required.  The tree naturally grows into a well shaped densely branched tree and can hold its foliage down to the ground.   

Fertilising with a low phosphorus fertilizer along the lines of other Australian natives can be carried out each spring with products like Osmocote Native or blood and bone, and mulching with cow manure at the same time appears beneficial.

That's all there is to it - no regular spraying or pruning program required as for other fruit and nut trees!!!

Comments

[Nelson Ramos]

Hello

We have a large macadamia tree & it starting to get really high, about 7 metres high.
I would like to know when is a good time to prune back.

Thank You