Cashew Nut Tree (Cashewnut)
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Current price
$49.00
The Cashew Nut tree, scientifically known as Anacardium occidentale, is a resilient evergreen native to tropical regions of Brazil but now widely cultivated across warm climates worldwide.
Common names for this tree include cashew tree, cashew nut tree, cashewnut tree, and regionally adapted terms such as cajueiro or anacardier. The primary harvest is the cashew nut, which offers a rich, buttery, and distinctly nutty flavor with a creamy, slightly sweet texture that sets it apart from more earthy nuts like almonds or peanuts; it is often enjoyed roasted, raw, or incorporated into dishes, while the associated cashew apple provides a juicy, sweet-tart tropical taste that is highly perishable and best consumed fresh near the source.
Mature cashew trees typically reach an average height 10 to 15 feet, featuring a broad, spreading canopy that can match or exceed the tree's height in width. The growth rate is moderate overall, with established trees adding about 1 to 2 feet per year, though young specimens in ideal conditions may surge at 2 to 3 feet annually and achieve full size within 5 to 10 years.
They thrive in well-draining sandy or loamy soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0, avoiding heavy clay or waterlogged areas, and perform best in dry tropical conditions where they can tolerate marginal soils once established.
- Sun requirements: Full sun exposure is essential, with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily to promote robust growth, flowering, and nut production; partial shade reduces yields significantly.
- Cold hardiness: Limited to USDA hardiness zones 9B–11; the tree is frost-sensitive and can suffer damage to leaves, flowers, or young growth so protect it, especially the first two years, from frost or extreme cold..
- Water requirements: Moderate and drought-tolerant once established; provide 1–2 inches of water per week during active growth (deep watering in summer, reduced in winter), relying primarily on rainfall while ensuring excellent drainage to prevent root rot—young trees need more consistent moisture for the first few months.
Fertilization supports strong nut production and should use a balanced approach with organic amendments. A specific recommended fertilizer regimen for mature, bearing trees targets 500 g nitrogen, 125 g phosphorus (P₂O₅), and 125 g potassium (K₂O) per tree per year, often supplied via straight fertilizers like urea for nitrogen, rock phosphate for phosphorus, and muriate of potash for potassium, combined with 10–15 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost annually for soil health.
- Detailed times of year for fertilizing: Split applications into two main doses to align with growth cycles—the first in early growing season (May–June) to fuel flowering and initial nut set, and the second in post-monsoon (September–October) to support fruit development and recovery; for smaller or supplemental feedings, apply a phosphorus-rich or balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer every other month throughout the primary growing season, always incorporating the organic manure at the start of the year.