Nut Trees
CategoryGrowing nut trees in Australia is not new with pecans and macadamias being one of our most successful commercial crops. The Macadamia is a native of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales and is the only Australian native tree to be developed into a commercial crop. The Pecan is a native of America and is among the best of the multi-purpose trees providing a valuable nut crop and an excellent long-term investment.
Chestnuts, Hazlenuts, Walnuts and Almonds are amongst the temperate group of nuts. We do not recommend them as commercially viable within the subtropics however they will bear adequate crops for the home orchardist.
Andean Walnut
$32.95
This fast growing evergreen walnut species is from the relative calm and frost free sub tropical Andes. The advantage of the Andean walnut is that it is a walnut that may fruit in parts or all of the subtropics where no other walnut will fruit; it fruits well; it is self fertile; it comes into bearing from seed within about five or six years; and it has large nuts that are moderately well filled. The biggest disadvantage is that the nut does not fall free of the husk and 'clings' to the nut. This means the almost tennis ball sized 'fruit' (fleshy husk plus the 'nut' in the middle) have to be collected and piled up for the husk to rot off. The olivey green to brown fruits turn dark brown as the husk breaks down, and the fleshy part becomes black and soft and spongy. Once cleaned, the round golf-ball sized nuts can be dried. Their shell is very thick heavy, and they are not easy to open. Once open, the kernel is also difficult to remove from the shell. The kernel itself is blandly pleasant.Andean Walnut is also highly prized as a cabinet timber, because of its remarkably consistent and bold cocoa color. The wood is related to the American black walnut that you might be used to seeing, but this variety grows in South America. The wood is slightly softer, much more straight grained, and much more consistent in color.
Bunya Nut
$17.90 ($4.90-$17.90 choose a size)
Handsome large tree for parks and gardens. Has large edible nuts and is cold tolerant. A symmetrical pine suitable for container growing when young. Full sun.
Cashew Nut Tree
$32.95 ($19.75-$32.95 choose a size)
The cashew nut tree is native to Central and South America, the nut grows within an outer shell at the end of an edible fruit known as the cashew apple. The shell of the kernal contains a thick caustic oil which can cause severe burns and skin irritation on contact. Caution must be taken when shelling nuts and protective clothing is recommended.The tree is very attractive, it produces beautiful rose-coloured scented flowers in panicles, followed by the enticing red fruits. It can grow to 15 meters and favours dry tropical conditions especially in coastal regions. It is a fast growing and strong tree that will tolerate dry conditions once it is established. It is best grown in well drained sandy or sandy loam soils. They will not tolerate poorly drained soils and can be prone to damaged from strong winds.Cashew apples and nuts are highly nutritious, they contain high amounts of vitamin C and are excellent sources of calcium, iron and vitamin B1.
Guiana Chestnut
$24.75
The Guiana Chestnut is closely related to the smaller but similar Malabar Chestnut. Native to estuaries and lake shores in the tropical rainforest's of Mexico, Central and South America where it is seen as a large spreading tree with buttressed root systems to hold it in place during flooding. The flowers of the Guiana chestnut are fragrant and stunning, they emerge from foot long buds where they are almost hidden amongst the dense foliage. The long cream coloured petals droop and disappear to show off the dramatic clusters of scarlet tipped stamens. The fruits that follow the flowers are football shaped large woody pods that can reach 30cm in length. The tightly packed nuts inside enlarge until the pods burst open to reveal them. They are edible raw and taste somewhat like peanuts but they are more often eaten roasted, boiled or fried when they taste more like chestnuts. They can be ground into flour for baking. Both the flowers and the leaves can be eaten as vegetables. The Guiana Chestnut does best in sites that are protected from drying winds, it can be grown in full sun or part shade and it requires frequent and generous watering.
Indian Almond Tree
$27.00 ($19.75-$27.00 choose a size)
Also known as the Sea Almond or Tropical Almond, it is common throughout SE Asia, growing wild as well as cultivated for its striking features and tasty nut. A deciduous tree it can shed its leaves twice a year. In Autumn the leaves turn into colours of red, copper, gold. This tree has a characteristic pagoda shape because it sends out a single stem from the top center. When the single stem reaches a good height, it sends out several horizontal branches. It can get very large reaching 30m in ideal conditions. The fruits are almond-shaped and green turning brown to purple when ripe. The fibrous shell surrounds an edible nut. This shell helps the fruit to float as the seed is dispersed by water. The nuts are edible, taste very much like almonds, although it can be a challenge to remove the flesh from the hard stone. The Sea Almond can be eaten raw. Oil extracted from the dried nuts is edible and used in cooking. Recommended for Tropical climates as it is cold sensitive, but is wind, salt and drought tolerant.
Malabar Chestnut
$23.90 ($14.90-$23.90 choose a size)
This medium sized fast growing tree is grown in many parts of the world. It is sometimes known as the Saba Nut and is grown mainly for its edible seeds; however it also makes a suitable potted indoor plant or outdoor specimen. The large white flowers are very fragrant, another reason to have it in the garden. Overall, this versatile tree is a handsome landscape addition The seeds can be eaten either raw or roasted. When roasted or fried in oil they taste like chestnuts or cashews, raw they taste like peanuts and keep for months in a cool, dry place. They can also be ground and used as a flour substitute when baking bread. The young leaves and flowers are cooked and delicious eaten as a vegetable. Production starts within a few years. The large, white, self-fertile flowers display spectacular clusters of 10cm cream-white stamens. The fruit is a woody green five-valved pod up to 30cm in length. The capsules that follow burst open when the seeds are ripe. The plant grows well in mild inland parts and coastal areas. The plant will tolerate brief exposure to low temperatures but won't tolerate frost. A frost-free location with some protection from hot, drying winds is the best choice for the plant. It will take full sun to partial shade. Malabar chestnuts are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained. They are semi-deciduous.
Category
Chestnut Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Chestnut Tree
Castanea sativa
A chestnut tree is a fast growing, long lived, large deciduous tree that produces abundant crops of nuts during Autumn. Although regarded as a cold climate tree chestnuts can be grown in the subtropics provided they have well-drained soils to minimize their susceptibility to Phytophthora. Planting 2 varieties will ensure well-filled nut burrs. Seedling chestnuts are worthy of consideration and can start cropping after 4 years. Nuts are produced inside a very prickly husk, which splits open to reveal the nuts when they are ripe. Nuts are large, brown and shiny.Chestnuts are best eaten either boiled or roasted. To prepare them, boil whole in their shells for about 30 minutes, once they are cooked, cut the soft shell and the kernel can be scooped out. To roast them in the oven, open fire or microwave be sure to pierce the outer shell to prevent them from exploding. After cooking remove the outer shell and inner bitter tasting skin before eating.
A chestnut tree is a fast growing, long lived, large deciduous tree that produces abundant crops of nuts during Autumn. Although regarded as a cold climate tree chestnuts can be grown in the subtropics provided they have well-drained soils to minimize their susceptibility to Phytophthora. Planting 2 varieties will ensure well-filled nut burrs. Seedling chestnuts are worthy of consideration and can start cropping after 4 years. Nuts are produced inside a very prickly husk, which splits open to reveal the nuts when they are ripe. Nuts are large, brown and shiny.Chestnuts are best eaten either boiled or roasted. To prepare them, boil whole in their shells for about 30 minutes, once they are cooked, cut the soft shell and the kernel can be scooped out. To roast them in the oven, open fire or microwave be sure to pierce the outer shell to prevent them from exploding. After cooking remove the outer shell and inner bitter tasting skin before eating.
Category
Dwarf Coconut
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Dwarf Coconut
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Dwarf Coconut
Cocos nucifera
These high yielding precocious hybrid selections will grow outside of the tropics, in a warm and sheltered position. Worth trying in coastal locations as far south as Coffs Harbour. They will require free draining soil and are best planted deep with a deep organic mulch surrounding them. The seed palms originate from the Solomon Islands mainly, although a few exceptional specimens are selected from North Queensland. These varieties are capable of flowering in their third year in moist tropical conditions, with fruits in their forth year.
These high yielding precocious hybrid selections will grow outside of the tropics, in a warm and sheltered position. Worth trying in coastal locations as far south as Coffs Harbour. They will require free draining soil and are best planted deep with a deep organic mulch surrounding them. The seed palms originate from the Solomon Islands mainly, although a few exceptional specimens are selected from North Queensland. These varieties are capable of flowering in their third year in moist tropical conditions, with fruits in their forth year.
Category
Ginkgo Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Ginkgo Tree
Rainforest Trees Native & Ornamentals > Shade and Ornamental Trees > Exotic > Ginkgo Tree
Ginkgo biloba
The Ginkgo tree is used extensively as a landscape tree due to its picturesque, unusual shaped crown and autumn coloured foliage. The trees become large making them ideal shade trees. The trees can take around 20-30 years to bear nuts, however grafted trees may bear in as little as 8 years. The sweet nuts taste like a large pine nut, a cross between potatoes and sweet chestnuts when baked. The outer coat of the fresh seeds contain oils that may cause mild dermatitis in some humans, so when picking them up wear latex gloves. The seeds are usually steamed until the hard shell cracks open, then the kernel removed and eaten like pistacho nuts, or used in pilaf, porridges, soups, vegetable dishes or mixed with rice, tofu, mushrooms and stir-fried vegetables.
The Ginkgo tree is used extensively as a landscape tree due to its picturesque, unusual shaped crown and autumn coloured foliage. The trees become large making them ideal shade trees. The trees can take around 20-30 years to bear nuts, however grafted trees may bear in as little as 8 years. The sweet nuts taste like a large pine nut, a cross between potatoes and sweet chestnuts when baked. The outer coat of the fresh seeds contain oils that may cause mild dermatitis in some humans, so when picking them up wear latex gloves. The seeds are usually steamed until the hard shell cracks open, then the kernel removed and eaten like pistacho nuts, or used in pilaf, porridges, soups, vegetable dishes or mixed with rice, tofu, mushrooms and stir-fried vegetables.
Category
Hazelnut Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Hazelnut Tree
Corylus avellana
The Hazel Nut Tree or Filberts are highly nutritious and if you live in the cooler parts of Australia they are certainly worth growing. Cross pollination is required for Hazelnut trees so you need to plant at least two to ensure nut set. The pollen is transfered between the trees by the wind. Trees require cool, moist winters with sufficient chill to break the dormancy of the flowering and vegatative buds about 700 to 900 hours and cool summers. They like a light, sandy or gravely soil with a PH of around 6 to 6.5, the soil must be well drained but still retain moisture, organic mulches will both help to retain the moisture in the soil and add vital nutrients. Hazelnuts can be eaten fresh or roasted and used in spreads and cereals. Ground into flour and added to breads and biscuits adds a delicious nutty flavour. Hazelnuts have many good health benifits, they are very high in vitamin E, an antioxident and cholesterol lowering fats, they are also high in calcium and protein.
The Hazel Nut Tree or Filberts are highly nutritious and if you live in the cooler parts of Australia they are certainly worth growing. Cross pollination is required for Hazelnut trees so you need to plant at least two to ensure nut set. The pollen is transfered between the trees by the wind. Trees require cool, moist winters with sufficient chill to break the dormancy of the flowering and vegatative buds about 700 to 900 hours and cool summers. They like a light, sandy or gravely soil with a PH of around 6 to 6.5, the soil must be well drained but still retain moisture, organic mulches will both help to retain the moisture in the soil and add vital nutrients. Hazelnuts can be eaten fresh or roasted and used in spreads and cereals. Ground into flour and added to breads and biscuits adds a delicious nutty flavour. Hazelnuts have many good health benifits, they are very high in vitamin E, an antioxident and cholesterol lowering fats, they are also high in calcium and protein.
Category
Macadamia Nut Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Macadamia Nut Tree
Fruit Trees > Bush foods Australia > Macadamia Nut Tree
Macadamia species
It isn't any wonder that the macadamia nut tree from Australia is regarded as the best quality nut in the world. The nuts are sweet and can be enjoyed eaten raw, roasted, fried, chocolate coated, candied, made into nut butters, biscuits, cakes and pies. The two edible species M. tetraphylla (Northern NSW) and M. integrifolia(S.E. Qld) make up most of the commercial varieties below.
It isn't any wonder that the macadamia nut tree from Australia is regarded as the best quality nut in the world. The nuts are sweet and can be enjoyed eaten raw, roasted, fried, chocolate coated, candied, made into nut butters, biscuits, cakes and pies. The two edible species M. tetraphylla (Northern NSW) and M. integrifolia(S.E. Qld) make up most of the commercial varieties below.
Category
Pecan Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Pecan Tree
Carya illinoinensis
Pecan Nut Trees are among the best of the multi-purpose trees providing a valuable nut crop and an excellent long-term investment. The trees are long lived and unlike other commercial crops don't have to be replaced in the short to mid term. Although most varieties are self pollinating (SP), planting 2 varieties one from each group will ensure optimum cross pollination. Pecan cultivars differ in the order male and female flowers mature. When pollen is shed early, before the female flowers are receptive, the cultiver is called protandrous (Type A), when pollen is shed late the cultivar is called protogynous (Type B).
Pecan Nut Trees are among the best of the multi-purpose trees providing a valuable nut crop and an excellent long-term investment. The trees are long lived and unlike other commercial crops don't have to be replaced in the short to mid term. Although most varieties are self pollinating (SP), planting 2 varieties one from each group will ensure optimum cross pollination. Pecan cultivars differ in the order male and female flowers mature. When pollen is shed early, before the female flowers are receptive, the cultiver is called protandrous (Type A), when pollen is shed late the cultivar is called protogynous (Type B).
Category
Pine Nut Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Pine Nut Tree
Pinus pinea
The Pine nut tree is often called the 'Stone Pine'. This name apparently comes from the idea that this tree grows well in stony ground. An attractive large pine tree that bears cones of edible nuts considered a delicacy. Grows best in dry cold areas. Trees can be expected to start producing cones from about year 6, but one planting in New Zealand produced its first cones after 3 1/2 years. Each cone holds about 50 nuts and 100 kg of cones holds about 20 kg of nuts. The kernels can be eaten raw, roasted or prepared into sweet meats, cakes, puddings, stuffings, soups and of course the most popular usage is the Italian gourmet PESTO. It is the source of a high quality expensive oil that is made mostly in France.
The Pine nut tree is often called the 'Stone Pine'. This name apparently comes from the idea that this tree grows well in stony ground. An attractive large pine tree that bears cones of edible nuts considered a delicacy. Grows best in dry cold areas. Trees can be expected to start producing cones from about year 6, but one planting in New Zealand produced its first cones after 3 1/2 years. Each cone holds about 50 nuts and 100 kg of cones holds about 20 kg of nuts. The kernels can be eaten raw, roasted or prepared into sweet meats, cakes, puddings, stuffings, soups and of course the most popular usage is the Italian gourmet PESTO. It is the source of a high quality expensive oil that is made mostly in France.
Category
Pistachio
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Pistachio
Plant List > Fruit and Nut Trees > Pistachio
Pistacia vera
Pistachio has been under cultivation for thousands of year. It is a long lived tree and can be productive for over 300 years.
Pistachio has been under cultivation for thousands of year. It is a long lived tree and can be productive for over 300 years.
Category
Walnut Tree
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Walnut Tree
Juglans regia
The Walnut nut tree is better suited to cold climates than many of the other cold climate nuts. Slow growing with best results achieved on deep soils with good drainage. Cross-pollination gives heavier nut set.
The Walnut nut tree is better suited to cold climates than many of the other cold climate nuts. Slow growing with best results achieved on deep soils with good drainage. Cross-pollination gives heavier nut set.
Popular in Category: Nut Trees
Chestnut - Emerald Gem
$46.95 ($46.95-$69.00 choose a size)
From Emerald Lake in the Dandenong region. It is a beautiful spreading tree that is almost weeping in habit. Very prolific, tends to bear heavily which greatly influences nut size. A distinctive orange-tan coloured nut without stripes. Evidence of Asian parentage.
Hazelnut - Halls Giant
$44.00 ($44.00-$52.95 choose a size)
Halls Giant is the main pollinator for Ennis. It does not produce a big crop of nuts but it does shed large amounts of pollen late in the season. Every planting of hazelnuts should contain at least 20% pollinators.
Pecan - Desirable (A) SP
$34.00 ($19.75-$34.00 choose a size)
A - SP - Proven variety that produces a large nut with a thick shell. The meaty kernel is of very good quality. Light producer in early years with good production by year 12 when it crops prolifically and consistently.
Pine Nut
$28.90 ($17.75-$28.90 choose a size)
An attractive large pine tree that bears cones of edible nuts considered a delicacy. Trees can be expected to start producing cones from about year 6. Each cone holds about 50 nuts and 100 kg of cones holds about 20 kg of nuts. Grows best in dry cold areas.
Pecan - Mahan (B)
$34.00 ($19.75-$34.00 choose a size)
Also known as the Lismore nut. Very large, long nut with a thin shell that may be poorly filled on older trees. A vigorous tree and prolific bearer.
