Macadamia Tree (Bush Nut

~ Macadamia integrifolia ~

PROTEACEAE

For my grandad: Walter Pickering

This beautiful tree was once used by a grandfather to form precious memories for his granddaughter – memories that, when recalled in adulthood, fill her heart-space with joy and gratitude. In an old ice-cream bucket, we’d collect the fallen nuts from under the tree in my grandparents’ backyard. We’d crack the nuts one by one in my grandad’s mechanic’s vice, making sure to sample every third one. I was so distracted by the delicious fruit that the flowers were of no concern to me – only as an adult did I note the splendour of their blossoms. Stemming from the protea family, this bloom gives off some big Grevillea vibes and sits next to Waratah and Banksia at the family table. These trees can take seven to ten years to create their delicious and famously nutritious nuts, so get prepped for a long-term ‘fruitful’ relationship.

WHERE TO LOOK

The Macadamia Tree enjoys the rainforests of subtropical Queensland but can also be found further south to Sydney. Once well known in the Mount Bauple area of Queensland, Macadamia integrifolia is now considered an endangered species in the wild due to forest clearing.

FEATURES

The Macadamia is a small to medium tree growing up to 15m with a 30cm wide trunk. Its leaves sit in whorls of three; they are deep green in maturity and about 20cm long with undulating margins. Its hanging cream flowers are considered racemes, which are clusters of small flowers along a central stem. The Macadamia flower can feature up to 300 tiny florets and grows to 30cm long. Its fruit measures around 2.5cm with a bright-green outer shell concealing a smaller brown seed that consists of a cream-coloured edible kernel. When ripe the fruit cracks open and releases the brown nut, which falls to the ground. This is the time for harvesting.

FLOWERING SEASON

Spring to autumn → Flowers begin in spring with nuts falling between March and September.

TRADITIONAL USES

The fruit is considered a delicacy for First Nations People, with the fallen nuts collected in dilly bags and taken to feasting grounds. Coastal middens contain large quantities of the nut shells.

PLANTING

New plants can be grown from fresh seed but are best grown from cuttings. Plants are widely available in nurseries and online. A natural fertiliser can assist in flowering and a diverse garden full of flowers will bring in bees and pollinating insects to help create the fruit. Once green strands appear for the flowers, water the tree to assist with growth. The external husks of the fruit make a great addition to your compost pile.