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Tamarind-Tart

Tamarind-Tart

$55.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$55.00 - $75.00
$75.00
Tamarind Tart Tree Overview
  • Taste:
    The Tamarind Tart Tree, typically referring to the standard tamarind (Tamarindus indica), produces fruit with a distinctly tart, tangy flavor that blends sweet and sour notes. The sticky, brown pulp inside the pod is sharp and acidic when young, mellowing slightly as it ripens, making it a versatile ingredient in savory dishes, beverages, candies, and sauces like Worcestershire.
  • Best Growing Environment:
    Tamarind Tart Trees flourish in hot, tropical climates with temperatures between 75-100°F (24-38°C). They prefer well-draining soils such as sandy loam with a wide pH tolerance (4.5-9), thriving in areas with high humidity during growth and drier conditions during fruit maturation to enhance flavor concentration.
  • Botanical Name:
    The botanical name for the Tamarind Tart Tree is Tamarindus indica, the sole species in the Tamarindus genus, belonging to the Fabaceae (legume) family, known for its pod-bearing fruit trees.
  • Common Names:
    Common names include Tamarind, Tart Tamarind, Indian Date, Tamarindo (Spanish), Asam (Malay), and occasionally Sweet Tamarind (though this may refer to specific sweeter cultivars), reflecting its global cultivation and culinary use.
  • Average Height:
    Tamarind Tart Trees typically grow to an average height of 40 to 60 feet (12-18 meters) in the wild, with a broad, vase-shaped canopy. In cultivation, pruning can limit them to 15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 meters) for easier management and harvest.
  • Growth Rate:
    The tree has a slow to moderate growth rate, adding 1 to 3 feet (30-90 cm) per year under ideal conditions. It takes 6-8 years from seed to bear fruit, though grafted trees may fruit in 3-4 years, with a productive lifespan of up to 60 years.
  • Sun Requirements:
    Full sun is essential, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily required for optimal growth and fruit production. While it tolerates partial shade, insufficient light can reduce yields and weaken the tree.
  • Cold Hardiness:
    Tamarind Tart Trees are frost-sensitive, with mature trees surviving brief drops to 26°F (-3°C) but suffering damage below this. Young trees are more vulnerable, requiring protection below 32°F (0°C), making them best suited to frost-free zones.
  • Water Requirements:
    Young trees need regular watering—once or twice weekly—keeping soil moist but not waterlogged until established. Mature trees are highly drought-tolerant, requiring supplemental water only during extreme dry spells, with reduced watering in cooler months to prevent root rot.
  • Planting Guide:
    Plant in spring in a sunny, well-drained location, spacing trees 30-40 feet (9-12 meters) apart to accommodate mature size, or use a large container (20-24 inches wide) with drainage holes for potted growth. Dig a hole twice the root ball’s width and as deep, set the tree at its nursery depth, backfill with native soil (optionally mixed with compost), and water deeply.
  • Fertilizing Times and Recommended Fertilizer:
    Fertilize young trees every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring to fall) with 1/4 to 1/2 pound of a 6-6-3 NPK fertilizer, increasing to 1-2 pounds for established trees. Mature trees benefit from 3 applications: early spring (March) with 6-6-3, mid-summer (July) with a potassium-rich mix like 0-0-22 to boost fruiting, and early fall (September) with a light dose. Avoid fertilizing in late fall or winter to allow dormancy.
  • USDA Zone:
    Tamarind Tart Trees thrive in USDA Zones 9b through 11, where they can grow outdoors year-round. In Zone 9b, young trees may require frost protection.