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Macadamia nuts are native to Australia and can be grown in home gardens, especially in coastal areas from Sydney to Queensland. They are a member of the Proteaceae family and are related to banksias and grevilleas. Macadamias grow into large trees of up to 20 metres tall and wide, but smaller varieties are available for home gardeners with space constraints. They are shallow-rooted trees, so regular watering is required, especially during hot and dry weather. Macadamia trees are sensitive to some fertilisers, so it is important to use a fertiliser specifically designed for native plants with low phosphorus levels. Pruning is beneficial to reduce disease and control the shape and height of the tree. Macadamia trees are prone to pests such as nut borers and rats, and birds like cockatoos and galahs may also need to be scared away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Native to | Australia |
| Tree size | Up to 20m tall and wide |
| Varieties | M. tetraphylla, M. integrifolia, dwarf varieties |
| Soil | Well-drained, enriched with fertiliser, compost, and decomposed manure |
| Watering | Regular and deep, especially during growing, flowering, and fruiting seasons |
| Feeding | Fertiliser for native plants, low phosphorus |
| Pruning | Regular, especially to control shape and height |
| Pests | Nut borer, caterpillars, beetles, aphids, scales, mites, thrips, rats, birds |
| Harvesting | Nuts fall to the ground when ripe, crack with a machine or by hand |
| Storage | Vacuum-sealed bag, airtight container, or freezer |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right variety and location
Macadamia trees are native to the north-eastern region of New South Wales and South-East Queensland in Australia. They are sensitive to frost and prefer a frost-free environment, with a temperature range of 25-35°C. If you live in an area that experiences frost, you will need to protect your tree for at least the first 3-4 years.
Macadamia trees can grow up to 20 metres tall and wide, so ensure you have adequate space. If you're short on space, consider a dwarf variety, which can be grown in pots. You can also prune a macadamia tree to any height, but this must be done before flowering.
When choosing a location, select a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If your soil is sandy, it is recommended to add composted organic matter. Macadamias will grow in a wide range of soils, but they require regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather.
There are two varieties of Macadamia: M. tetraphylla, with pale pink flowers, and M. integrifolia, with cream flowers. M. tetraphylla is more tolerant of cooler weather, so it is better suited to southern states. Grafted varieties are also available, which establish quicker and bear more fruit.
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Soil preparation and planting
Macadamia trees are native to the north-eastern region of New South Wales and South-East Queensland in Australia. They are suited to subtropical climates and prefer a frost-free environment with plenty of water. The optimum temperature for growth is between 20-25°C, and they require around 1000mm of rain annually.
When it comes to soil preparation and planting, macadamias will grow in a wide range of soils. If your soil is sandy, it is recommended to add lots of composted organic matter. If the soil is clay-based, add gypsum and some composted organic matter and fork it in well. Dig the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth. Remove the tree from its container and gently tease out the roots if they are compacted. Position the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming it down.
Form a raised ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps to keep water where it's needed. Always water well after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes itself. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane, or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk. Macadamia trees are shallow-rooted, so regular watering is required, especially during the first few years and in hot, dry weather.
You can propagate macadamias by grafting or from seed. Grafting is usually done onto the rootstock of Macadamia tetraphylla, the most climate-tolerant species. If planting from seed, plant as soon as possible once the seed has fallen from the tree. Grow in pots until the seedling reaches at least 30cm, then transplant it into the garden in a protected position in early spring.
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Watering and fertilising
Macadamia trees require regular and deep watering during the growing, flowering, and fruiting seasons, typically from spring to autumn. While they can tolerate drought once established, macadamia trees produce more nuts when they receive ample water. These trees prefer a frost-free environment and thrive in temperatures between 20-25°C, with an ideal range of 25-35°C. They require approximately 1000 mm of rainfall annually, especially during the summer months.
When planting, it is essential to select a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If your soil is sandy, it is advisable to add composted organic matter to improve its quality. Form a raised ring of soil around the plant's root zone to help retain water. After planting, water the tree well to settle the soil around the roots and maintain moisture for several weeks while the plant establishes its root system.
To conserve soil moisture and provide additional water retention, apply a thick layer of mulch, such as bark chips, sugarcane, or pea straw, ensuring it is kept away from the tree trunk. You can also use soil wetters like Yates Waterwise Soil Wetter Concentrate to encourage water absorption in the root zone.
Fertilisation is crucial for macadamia trees, and it is recommended to use fertilisers specifically designed for Australian native plants. Fertilise the tree at least twice a year, in autumn and spring, with a low-phosphorus fertiliser such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. For an extra boost during the flowering and fruiting season, fortnightly applications of a liquid potash fertiliser, such as Yates Fruit & Flower Booster, can be beneficial.
Macadamia trees are sensitive to some fertilisers, so it is important to avoid over-fertilisation and the use of fertilisers high in phosphorus. Instead, opt for fertilisers designed for native plants, and consider additional applications of fish and seaweed solutions during the summer to ensure the tree has sufficient nutrients for nut development.
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Pruning and pest control
Macadamia trees require little pruning, but it is sometimes necessary to control their shape or height. Pruning can also help to reduce disease. When pruning, you should shape the tree like a vase, with all the main branches pointing outwards. This will encourage better ventilation, reducing the likelihood of diseases. Remove any branches that are dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing/rubbing against other branches. Always use sharp pruning tools and sanitise them between trees to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
If your garden cannot accommodate a large macadamia tree, you can prune it hard after harvest and before flowering. Start shaping the tree early. First, remove the leader once it reaches a manageable height, and encourage three or so side branches to grow. Once these reach your desired height, remove them. As the tree gets older, you may need to be more drastic with your removal of limbs, but as long as you make clean cuts that are flush to the trunk or main branch, the tree will cope.
Macadamia trees can be relatively pest-free, depending on your climate. To protect the trees from pests, you can encourage beneficial insects to the garden, such as parasitic wasps, green lacewing larvae, ladybird larvae, and spiders, which can prevent nut borers, weevils, and other pests from becoming a problem. Introducing native bees may also help with pollination if you have a lot of flowers but not many nuts.
Birds like galahs and cockatoos also love macadamia nuts, so you may need to use scare tactics to protect your harvest, such as hanging shiny silver items like CDs in the tree or making loud noises. Rats can also be an issue, especially if you live near bushland. A pest control company can install professional bait stations, or you can use the more traditional method of a cat or dog that is a good ratter.
Some common pests of macadamia trees include chewing pests such as caterpillars and beetles, and sap-sucking pests such as aphids, scales, mites, and thrips. There are also a number of pests for which there are currently no long-term viable control options, including Cercotingis decoris, Proteatingis howardi, and Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae.
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Harvesting and processing
Macadamia nuts are usually harvested between March and September when the mature nuts fall to the ground. The fibrous outer husk of the macadamia is removed within 24 hours of harvest to reduce heat respiration and facilitate drying. The husk material is usually recycled as organic mulch.
Drying is a critical step in macadamia processing to maximise the quality of the end product. At harvest, the nuts have a moisture content of up to 30%. Drying can take up to three weeks and reduces the moisture content to around 1.5%. The kernel shrinks away from the inside of the shell and allows the shells to be cracked without damaging the kernel. The quicker the nuts are dried and cracked after harvest, the better they will taste.
After drying, the tough shell of the macadamia can be cracked using a cracking machine with either a fixed blade and cutting blade or a combination of rollers and a base plate to compress the shell. After cracking, the macadamia kernel can be stored in a vacuum-sealed bag or airtight container. Store in the fridge if you live in a warm area or in a cool, dry place in colder climates. You can also store macadamia kernels in the freezer.
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