HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 
HONOLULU, HAWAII 
Under the supervision of the 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 59 
Washington, D. C. 
November, 1929 
THE MACADAMIA NUT IN HAWAII 
By W. T. Pope, Horticulturist 
CONTENTS 
Page 
History and distribution — - 2 
Botanical description 3 
Methods of propagation . 1 
Bead 6 
Vegetative propagation 7 
Natural requirements 12 
Climate 12 
Soils 13 
The orchard 14 
Windbreaks 14 
Planting 15 
Supporting the trees... 16 
Tillage 16 
Intercropping 16 
('overcrops 16 
Piuning 17 
Page 
The crop 18 
Age of bearing 18 
Harvesting 18 
Yields . 18 
Nut crackers 19 
(Special investigations 19 
Composition and uses 20 
Variation in composition of nuts from 
Macadamia seedlings grown at various 
places in Hawaii 21 
Summary 22 
Literature cited 23 
Macadamia-nut culture is rapidly assuming the proportions of an 
industry in Hawaii. Inquiries regarding every phase of the subject 
are being received by the station in increasing numbers. This is due 
largely to the interest created by the good yield of nuts from trees 
which have come into bearing in recent years. There is a growing de- 
mand for the nuts for food and for propagation purposes. The tree is 
adapted to a wide range of moisture conditions but can not withstand 
low temperatures. There are certain areas in Hawaii where it prob- 
ably could be grown with considerable success. 
Macadamia-nut culture has received a stimulus in the passage of 
an act (No. 37) of the Territorial Legislature exempting from taxa- 
tion all properties in the Hawaiian Islands which are used solely 
for the culture or production of Macadamia nuts. The act covers a 
period of five years, and became effective January 1, 1927. 
Although it is rather generally thought that the Macadamia is of 
easy culture, numerous obstacles must be overcome and intricate 
problems must be solved before the tree can be grown to such an 
extent that its culture may be considered an established industry in 
Hawaii. Insect enemies, tree rats, and certain diseases some of which 
have already appeared, must be controlled; the fact that the tree 
is easily injured by wind must be taken into consideration; and, 
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