Macadamia Integrifolia
Macadamia IntegrifoliaMy tree friend is Macadamia Integrifolia
- a) 3-6 months after falling from the tree, a macadamia nut can sprout and live to be 70 – 100 years old.
- b) Macadamia Integrifolia fruits from around 7 years and matures around 10 years of age.
- c) The macadamia tree will have flowers, nutlets and nuts all growing simultaneously. Nuts are mature between November and January, and March- April, ranging from Spring- Autumn.
- d) Once mature, the Macadamia tree can produce high yields for around thirty years, but can fruit for its entire mature life.
- e) The Macadamia originates from the east coast of Australia, roughly between Bundaberg to the north and Coffs Harbour in the south.
- f) The average annual rainfall in the area is hard to define, depending on weather patterns experienced like La Nina and El Nino. The range is between 1000mm to 2000mm annually.
- g) The Macadamia Integrifolia tree is from the family Proteaceae.
- h) The macadamia is drought resistant and moderately flood tolerant, however needs protection from strong winds. As it has branches along the trunk, it has a small amount of dappled shade.
Many food products are made from macadamias as they can be eaten raw and cooked. Oil is also extracted from the kernels, which is used in cooking and salads and is yum. It has a good balance of essential fatty acids and stores for up to 2 years.
The timber is highly decorative and suitable for small hand carved projects. The shells can be composted and returned to the earth, or used as fuel for fires as they burn long and hot. A company in QLD is using them to generate renewable energy!
Macadamia milk is lactose, cholesterol and gluten free.
- When mature, the Macadamia tree is about 12 metres in height and 12 metres in width, with a rounded shape. The trunk is 300 – 500mm in diameter. The branches can start from 1 mtr up the trunk.
by Louise Staunton
