Macadamia Nut Trees for California Gardens

A Publication of the California Macadamia Society

Macadamia nuts are produced by two species of large, handsome, evergreen trees. The crisp, white flavorful kernels may be eaten either raw or roasted and are delicious. The trees are suitable for home gardens, landscaping and for commercial orchard planting in favorable climatic regions in southern California.

BOTANY The two species, both natives of Australia, are Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla. The flowers are borne in clusters of 200300. The fruit, which has a husk usually splitting open at maturity, contains a single spherical seed. The seed is the nut and the kernel is the nut meat. Flowering usually occurs in early spring and the nuts mature the following winter.

CLIMATE Macadamia trees grow in southern California in frost free areas. In marginal areas it is advisable to limit plantings to M. tetraphylla. A Macadamia tree has about the same frost tolerance as a lemon, lime or avocado tree. It has greater tolerance to high temperature than an avocado tree, but is not adapted to the inland deserts.

PLANTING The trees may be planted in full sun or partial shade and in either clay or sandy soil. They may be selected and made to fit almost any landscaping plan since they can be pruned, even to hedging, and since they vary from round and bushy to tall and upright. A tree allowed to grow naturally may attain a height of over 40 feet and a spread of 30 feet. Trees are generally sold in containers which must be removed before planting. A tree should be watered at the time of planting and kept well watered.

IRRIGATION A Macadamia tree will stay alive with very tittle water, but to obtain growth and good nut production, adequate irrigation is essential. This means that a tree should receive at least as much water as is normally provided an avocado tree. The actual amount depends on the soil. Over-irrigation is generally not a problem.

FERTILIZATION Newly planted young trees should not be fertilized for about six months. After six months, the trees should receive light applications of a balanced fertilizer such as a citrus mix or fish emulsion which contains not more than 10 percent nitrogen. Applications should be made at least twice a year. A mature tree should receive approximately five pounds of citrus mix per application and young trees proportionally less. Too much nitrogen may result in chlorosis.

VARIETIES Seedlings can be used for yard trees, but to be assured of good nut production, it is advisable to plant grafted trees. Current recommendations are 'Cate' for commercial growers, 'Cate' and 'Beaumont' for landscaping. Additionally, we recommend contacting the local nurseries. They should have varieties that will do well in their area. See the reverse for a list of nurseries.

PRODUCTION Some trees may produce nuts as early as two years from graft and others not for seven to eight years. A reasonably good tree will produce 3050 pounds of nuts at 10 years of age and gradually increase for many years.

HARVESTING AND PROCESSING The nuts fall to the ground when mature. They should be harvested at least weekly and the husks immediately removed. The nuts must be dried before they are stored. This can be done easily by placing then in shallow screen-bottom containers and placing in a dry, shady location for two to three weeks. They then should be dried further either by placing them in a screen-bottom container over a furnace register for 72 hours or more, depending on the amount of heat, or by placing then in a shallow pan in an oven at lowest temperature (about 100 to 115°F). The time required is usually about 48 hours.

CALIFORNIA MACADAMIA SOCIETY The Society is a horticultural organization which has meetings and publishes a Yearbook, newsletters and pamphlets. Memberships, which include the current Yearbook and newsletters, are available. Send the application at the bottom of the page to:

CALIFORNIA MACADAMIA SOCIETY
Post Office Box 1298
Fallbrook, California 92088 USA

http:/users.aol.com/CalMacSociety

MARKETING The Gold Crown Macadamia Association was organized in 1971, and is a Macadamia growers cooperative, organized under the laws of the State of California. They process and market the Macadamia nuts of its members commercially. In addition, they establish quality standards for growers to ensure acceptability by the Association and endeavor to put a high quality product on the market. Inquiries regarding marketing may be addressed to:

GOLD CROWN MACADAMIA ASSOCIATION
Del Dios Country Gardens
9582 Del Dios Highway
Escondido, CA 92029
(619) 745-4396 - or - (800) 344-NUTS(6887)

MACADAMIA NUT HAND CRACKERS Crackers that have been developed especially for Macadamia nuts may be obtained from the Gold Crown Macadamia Association. Write for current prices to the address directly above.

NURSERIES The following southern California nurseries and individuals are current California Macadamia Society members who may have grafted Macadamia trees available:

Atkins Nursery, 3129 Reche Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Brokaw Nursery, P.O. Box 4818, Saticoy, CA 93003
Macadamia Land Nursery, 2562 Mountain View, Escondido, CA 92027
Pacific Tree Farms, 4301 Lynwood Drive, Chula Vista, CA 92010
Cooper's Nut House, 1378 Willow Glen Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Simpson's Garden Town Nursery, P.O. Box 308, Jamul, CA 92035

COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS Persons interested in growing Macadamia trees commercially or who want to obtain more detailed information are invited to request the free pamphlet "The Macadamia Nut in California" from the Secretary of the Society, address shown above.

YEARBOOK BACK ISSUES

1955-1970 $ 5.00 US each 1983 $15.00 (reprint)
1972-1978 $10.00 US each 1984-1985 $12.50 US each
1979-1982 $12.50 US each 1986 to date $17.50 US each

Add $2.05 for each Yearbook ordered to cover cost of postage within the US. Airmail out of the US is $6.50.

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I am applying for membership in the California Macadamia Society. Enclosed find $17.50 US to cover membership dues for the calendar year 200__. I understand that upon acceptance of my application I will receive a copy of the bylaws and a Yearbook for the preceding year. Foreign members should include an additional $6.50 if they want the yearbook sent by airmail.

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