Macadamia

New Zealand’s Best Macadamia Trees

Growing Macadamia in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• Reduced food waste
• Lower grocery costs
• Fewer food miles and less plastic packaging, decreasing your carbon footprint
• Convenience
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

From large Macadamia trees to small ones, we’ll help you find the right sized tree for your space. Our fruit trees have been selected to thrive in New Zealand’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Macadamia trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Macadamia

1. Can you grow macadamia nuts in NZ?

Macadamia nuts can be grown in New Zealand, but only in certain regions. They require warm climates with little frost. New Zealand's Northland, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty regions are ideal for growing macadamias. Macadamia trees can also be grown in other parts of New Zealand, such as the Coromandel and East Cape, but they will need to be protected from frost.

2. How long does it take for a macadamia tree to produce nuts?

It takes on average 5-10 years for a macadamia tree to start producing nuts, with full production expected in 15-20 years. However, the exact time frame can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• The variety of macadamia tree
• The climate and growing conditions
• The care and management of the tree

3. What is the best spacing for macadamia trees?

A good spacing for macadamia trees is eight metres between rows and four metres between trees. This spacing will allow for good air circulation and light penetration, which is important for both tree health and nut production. It will also allow for easy access to the trees for pruning and harvesting. However, if you are short on space, you can plant macadamia trees closer together. For example, some growers plant trees as close as five metres apart between rows and 2.5 metres between trees. This spacing can help to increase early yields, but it is important to note that the trees will eventually need to be thinned out as they mature.

4. What are the side effects of eating macadamia nuts?

Macadamia nuts are generally safe for most people to eat. However, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of:

• Allergy: Macadamia nuts are a common food allergen, and some people may experience an allergic reaction after eating them. Symptoms of a macadamia nut allergy can include hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis.
• Digestive problems: Macadamia nuts are high in fat, and eating too many can cause digestive problems such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Weight gain: Macadamia nuts are also high in calories, so eating too many can lead to weight gain.

It is important to note that these side effects are rare and typically only occur in people who eat large amounts of macadamia nuts. For most people, macadamia nuts are a healthy and nutritious snack.

5. How do you grow macadamia trees in New Zealand?

To grow macadamia trees in New Zealand, you will need to choose a sunny and sheltered spot with a well-drained soil.

1. Prepare the soil by digging a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the tree and just as deep.
2. Add compost or manure to improve drainage and fertility.
3. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, firming down gently to remove any air pockets.
4. Water the tree thoroughly.
5. Mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Young macadamia trees will need to be staked and watered regularly, especially during the first few years after planting. As the trees mature, they will become more tolerant of dry periods.

6. Are macadamia trees self-fertile?

Macadamia trees are not completely self-fertile, but they can produce some nuts without cross-pollination. However, cross-pollination is necessary for maximum nut production.

Macadamia trees have a protandrous pollination system, which means that the male and female parts of the flower mature at different times. This restricts the tree from self-pollinating. However, some pollen can still be transferred from the male to the female parts of the flower, resulting in some self-pollinated nuts. Cross-pollination is more effective than self-pollination at producing larger nuts.

To increase nut production, it is recommended to plant at least two macadamia trees of different varieties within 20 metres of each other. This will allow for cross-pollination by insects.