​​​Pruning Your Tree

Note the skeletal finger like shoots at the top. This is a tell-tale sign of malnutrition.

Nutrition can be difficult, depending on location. Know your soil, know your PH;

general info

​Example of a tree in need of nutrients

Macadamia trees grow best in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. They are slightly acidic soil loving plants and do not tolerate alkaline soil well. If the pH of your soil is too high (alkaline), you can lower it by adding sulfur to the soil or by planting your macadamia tree in a soil mix that is specifically formulated for acid-loving plants. If the pH of your soil is too low (acidic), you can raise it by adding lime to the soil.

It is important to regularly test the pH of your soil to ensure that it is within the optimal range for macadamia trees. You can purchase a soil pH test kit at a garden center or online, or you can send a soil sample to a soil testing laboratory for analysis. Once you know the pH of your soil, you can adjust it as needed to ensure that your macadamia tree is able to thrive.

In addition to pH, macadamia trees also have specific soil requirements in terms of drainage, fertility, and organic matter content. They prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and that has a moderate level of fertility. If your soil does not meet these requirements, you may need to amend it with compost or other organic matter and/or fertilize your tree regularly to ensure that it has the nutrients it needs to grow.

  • ​Never prune off more than 20% of the tree. This will cause the tree to go into a shock that will affect nut yield for the following season. Recovery time from a solid pruning is generally 18 months on a full grown tree.

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  • You are looking for a single main trunk in the center of the tree, with 3-5 branches ringing the main trunk at each branch point. These off-shoots should be equalized around the tree to prevent undue weight/stress on any one side of the tree.

​fertilizer & nutrition

  • A good manure enriched compost in the fall and late spring to encourage flowering and nutset.

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  • Solid layer of semi-fine mulch to prevent soil erosion and hold in moisture.

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  • Low PH based soil/compost for maximum results.


  • A good synthetic fertilizer is a solution also, if your soil is woefully lacking nutrients. But use this solution in moderation, as you can hurt the tree's health by activating to much new growth, which can bring in the insects (that eat the new growth). This will open up a whole new set of problems.​