Macadamia Nut Tree

The Macadamia Nut Tree (Macadamia integrifolia) is Australia's only native food crop to become a global commodity, and it is a better garden tree than its reputation suggests. It grows to around 8m tall and 6m or more wide, holding dense evergreen foliage from low down, so it works as a shade tree and a screen while it earns its keep. Cream racemes hang through spring, then the nuts drop in autumn and winter, ready to pick up off the ground.

Why you'll love it

• A crop you actually use. A mature tree drops tens of kilograms a year, and they store in the shell for months.
• Real shade, not dappled. A dense canopy over 6m of spread gives usable shade on a lawn, held through winter.
• Australian native. Indigenous to the rainforest margins of eastern Australia, so it is adapted to our conditions.
• Feeds birds and bees. The long spring racemes are a serious nectar source.
• Wind and humidity tolerant. Tough leathery leaves cope with a humid summer that marks softer foliage.

Where it works best

Shade tree. The main use in a home garden. Site it at least 5m from the house and paving, and allow the full 6m spread.

Feature planting. A single specimen on a large block or rural entrance.

Screening and edible gardens. For a tall screen on acreage, plant 5m to 6m apart: closer and the trees compete and crop poorly. In a mixed edible garden it belongs at the back, clear of the citrus.

Growing Macadamia Nut Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the heaviest crop, with shelter from wind while young. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens along the eastern seaboard and similar coastal climates. It handles light frost only, and young trees are the most vulnerable, so cold inland districts are not a good match.

Soil. Deep, free draining and slightly acidic is ideal, and it will not tolerate waterlogging. On clay, plant on a raised mound and mulch 75mm deep to the drip line, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then weekly in dry spells, with consistent water through flowering and nut fill. Macadamias are sensitive to high phosphorus, so use a native fertiliser in early spring and after harvest.

Pruning and pets. Prune in the first three years to a single leader, then only to remove dead or crossing wood. Note that macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, so pick up fallen nuts promptly if you have a dog that scavenges.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in 5L and 400mm sizes, both grafted or selected stock rather than seedlings, which matters: seedlings can take a decade to bear and vary in quality. Expect a young tree of roughly 600mm to 1m. Nut production begins from year four to six and reaches full yield around year ten.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Stake young trees loosely for the first year in exposed positions, and expect steady growth once the roots move out. Every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full fruit and nut tree range
• Explore Australian native plants
• Growing and feeding edible trees at home
• Compare shade trees for large gardens

Common questions

How long until it produces nuts?

Usually four to six years for grafted stock, with a small crop first and a meaningful one a couple of seasons later. Full production arrives around year ten.

Do I need two trees for pollination?

A single tree will set nuts, but cross pollination between two varieties lifts the yield noticeably. If you have room, plant a second tree about 6m away and expect a better crop from both.

When and how do I harvest?

Do not pick from the tree. Mature nuts drop through autumn and winter, so collect them off the ground every week or two, husk them promptly and dry them in the shell before cracking.