Tropical Fruit Trees
CategoryAcai Palm
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Acai Palm
Fresh acai fruit is not seen outside of South America because the fruit breaks down in shipping. If you have a warm climate, you can enjoy fresh pure, un-diluted acai. Today, many of the health drinks are priced so high, it makes their health benefits not worth the cost. Many companies also blend acai with a bunch of other fruits and keep the concentration a mystery. It has become an expensive delicacy simply because farmers can not keep up with the demand in Brazil. The high-priced drinks still do not offer the same health benefits as raw acai. The majority consist of pulp that leaves brazil as a dried powder form and then mixed into juices with water when it arrives in the USA. Processed foods always carry less nutrients. In the past, acai was available to everyone, including the poor. Now it is out of reach for many in the amazon region because of the increase in world-wide demand for this healthy berry.
Banana Plants
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Banana Plants
Bananas are the world's most popular tropical fruit and you can't beat the taste of home grown bananas. Varieties vary from those best eaten fresh, when they are creamy and sweet, to those best cooked as a starchy vegetable when green - they very much resemble the taste of potato when fried. Most green bananas can also be cooked as a starchy vegetable. Banana plants are best suited to a warm, frost-free, coastal climate they require full sun and regular moisture. It is worth trying them in more marginal areas, though it can take a few years for the fruiting to sync with the warmer months. Dwarf varieties are also available for small backyards and also for cooler areas where planting in a protected space near a building can be helpful. They make bagging and harvest so easy and retain all the flavour qualities of the full sized versions. Dwarf varieties likely originate from mutations of their taller varieties and as such a small percentage can are potentially prone to partially reverting back at some stage, even several years down the track. This would show as an unusually large sucker. Before planting, thoroughly loosen the soil, enrich with a healthy application of compost and ensure they have good drainage. If planting more than one plant 4-5m apart. For the best results. Remove all but one leader and two following suckers. Bananas make great companion plants in a Food Forest system and as generators of biomass in this. We are open to expressions of interest from commercial growers to supply smaller plants for orchard planting. Please email order@daleysfruit.com.au
Breadfruit Tree
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Breadfruit Tree
The breadfruit tree or Ulu loves a hot climate and is treasured by many Islanders because of its high yields, Some Islanders have been known to survive purely by eating the bounty of the breadfruit tree no wonder they have legends about it. The English heard of its reputation and endeavoured to transport it to the Caribbean. When water supplies went low the famous Captain Bligh would take water away from his crew to ensure the survival of his breadfruit trees but the thirsty crew threw the breadfruit trees overboard along with Captain Bligh. Amazingly he survived.
Canistel or Yellow Sapote
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Canistel or Yellow Sapote
The fruit is round to oval and matures to a yellow-orange colour hence its other common name of 'egg fruit' and yellow sapote. The yellow flesh has a sweet earthy flavour and a meaty texture similar to a boiled egg. The fruit is delicious eaten fresh out of hand with a little salt and lemon juice added. Canistels are often added to sweet custards or made into delicious eggnog-like milk shakes by blending with milk. The fruits are very rich, the flesh can be dried and ground into a powder which is than used as a flavouring for sweet desserts.
Carambola Star Fruit
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Carambola Star Fruit
The carambola is appropriately nick named star fruit for it's five golden wings that reveal a star-shaped pattern when cut crosswise. The juicy transparent flesh has a citrus quality with a floral accent and is delicious eaten fresh, made into juice or into a delicious chutney. The tree makes an ideal specimen plant due to its attractive foliage and has the added bonus of producing large quantities of fruit. Carambolas are best grown in frost free subtropical climate. They can withstand light frost when established. They generally have two crops a year, one in summer and the second crop in winter. With pruning at different times of the year they can be induced to crop from summer to winter. A very attractive fruiting tree, well worth having in the backyard. Cut into cross sections the fruits make attractive garnishes for sweet and savory dishes particularly seafood dishes. A relish can be made from unripe fruits by combining horseradish, celery, vinegar, seasonings and spices.
Dwarf Coconut
Fruit Trees > Nut Trees > Dwarf Coconut
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Dwarf Coconut
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.
Green Sapote
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Green Sapote
A close relative of the Mamey Sapote is a native to the highlands of Ecuador. The tree has smaller, darker green leaves than the mamey and has a superior flavour and finer texture. The dark dull green fruit turns to gold when ripe and the thick orange flesh has a 'melting in your mouth' effect. The seeds are edible when roasted and have been used as an adulterant to Chocolate.
Jackfruit
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Jackfruit
(Jackfruit) This striking tree bears some of the worlds largest fruit. The golden-yellow flesh has a strong odour but is deliciously sweet, described by some as having a banana bubblegum taste. It is delicious eaten fresh or dried in the sun like dates. The seeds are roasted and the green fruit eaten as a vegetable in curries. Freezing the arils is a great way to preserve the abundant fruit. Cross pollination beneficial for bigger fruit and heavy crops.
Kwai Muk
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Kwai Muk
The Kwai Muk is native to China. It is a slow-growing, slender tree that can be grown as an ornamental specimen plant due to its erect growing habit and attractive long slender leaves. The round fruits have a velvety, brownish, thin, tender skin.The fruit is best when harvested from the tree completely ripe. When mature the pulp is orange-red to red, soft, acid to subacid and of an excellent flavour. The fruit can be seedless or may contain 1 to 7 small pale seeds. The pulp is delicious eaten raw or can be preserved or sundried. Self pollinating, Ripening from February to April. The trees are not as cold tolerant as initially thought and are injured by brief drops in temperature to -2°C. Mature trees have endured -3°C which is similar to a mango or jakfruit.
Malay Apple Tree
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Malay Apple Tree
The Malay Apple is known for it's deep-red oval fruit has a thin skin and white crispy flesh with an aromatic, sweet mild flavour.
Mamey Sapote
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Mamey Sapote
Very popular fruit in Florida, the Caribbean islands, and Central America where the fruit is highly esteemed. The mamey sapote was cultivated by the native peoples of Central America for hundred of years. It is this fruit that kept Cortes and his army alive on their famous march from Mexico City to Honduras. Fruit is large, up to 25cm long with orange flesh tasting somewhat like a flavorful pumpkin. Almost always eaten fresh out of hand or used in desserts and drinks. Even though of tropical origin the Mamey will grow and bear very well in the subtropics as long as it is protected from frosts when young
Mango Tree
Fruit Trees > Subtropical Fruit Trees > Mango Tree
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Mango Tree
The Mango Tree is one of the most luscious of all tropical fruits with flavours varying from exceptionally sweet to turpentine. By planting different varieties of mangoes harvesting can be extended for up to 12 weeks.
Papaya
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Papaya
Also known in Australia as paw paw trees these fast growing trees can commence bearing within 12 months of planting. Papaya are often cultivated as garden trees due to their attractive shape, manageable size and large tropical looking foliage as well as the delicious fruits they produce. Native to southern Mexico and Central America, papaya are now commonly found in tropical and sub tropical climates where they are very easy to grow and are highly productive trees for about 5-6 years. The three types of papaya can all be distinguished by their flowers. If you are growing the male and female papaya one male will happily fertilize seven females or more, bees are the main pollinator so they will need to be able to fly between trees. Fruits take 60-120 days to mature and will need a long warm summer to fully ripen. In warm climates fruits will ripen all year round and healthy trees can produce 30kg of fruit a season.
Rollinia
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Rollinia
This is a taste sensation with the fruit tasting of creamy lemon sherbet and lemon meringue pie. The large yellow fruit has a bumpy surface and soft spines. Rollinia's perform best in warm subtropical to tropical conditions, intolerant of cool conditions, temperatures as low as 3 degrees can kill young trees. High humidity is necessary for pollination and regular water is essential during flowering and fruit set to avoid premature ripening of the fruits. Rollinia trees are shallow rooted so they will need protection from strong winds. The fruits are picked when they begin to turn yellow, they will continue to ripen off the tree and have a shelf life of only a few days. Seedling trees can bear in a little as three to four years.
Sapodilla
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Sapodilla
This small brown furry fruit looks similar to the outside of a Kiwifruit. The rich brown flesh has a soft melting texture and is very sweet with a taste like caramel or brown sugar. They are best eaten fresh by spooning the chilled flesh from the thin skin. The flesh is delicious mixed with orange juice and topped with cream.
Soursop
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Soursop
The Soursop is native to the nothern parts of South America. In its tropical conditions it grows vigorously and seedling trees will fruit within 2-3 years. In the subtropics it requires substantial protection from cold winds and will not tolerate frosts. The tree prefers deep well drained semi-dry soil. The fruit is heart-shaped with a rough green skin and soft fleshy spines. The fresh meaty flesh is juicy and slightly acid producing a rich creamy thirst quenching juice. Superb when fruit is pureed with 1/3 of vanilla icecream. The fruit can also be dried into a sweet fruit leather. Grafted varieties have the least acid flavour and least fibrous consistency. Immature soursops are cooked as vegetables, used in soup or roasted. The leaves of the soursop are said to have many medicinal qualities see http://www.graviola.org/
Star Apple
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Star Apple
A close relative of the Abiu, this spectacular ornamental tree has large green leaves with a vibrant golden underside. The round purple fruits display a beautiful central star design when sliced open. The semi-translucent flesh is soft, sweet and juicy. It has a wonderful caramel vanilla milkshake flavour.
Velvet Apple Tree
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Velvet Apple Tree
The Velvet Apple Tree is about the same size as an apple They are bright red in colour and where they are native such as the Phillipines they are treasured by their people. Velvet Apples grow well in tropical to subtropical environments throughout Australia.
Wax Jambu
Fruit Trees > Tropical Fruit Trees > Wax Jambu
This fast growing tree bears attractive red pear shaped fruit that are juicy and crunchy and one of the most refreshing treats when eaten chilled on a hot summers day. The trees grow and crop abundantly in most subtropics conditions, provided they are protected from frost when young. The fruit can also be used to add texture to salads with a subtle compliment to the flavour.