kukui age for bearing nuts

[hooligal]

I have a Kukui Tree keiki. I can't find info on the web about when it will begin to bear nuts. Anyone know how long it takes to reach bearing maturity? Does it handle transplanting well as it gets older?

* I'd rather fail at happiness than succeed at misery *

[james weatherford]

Ours produced in about 4 years (location, 6th HPP).

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[JayJay]

I'm wondering what commercial and or industrial application these trees may have? Are we looking at a potential liquid fuel source here since the flesh of a cracked nut will burn on it's own once a flame is applied? The trees are easily propagated from the nuts simply by burying them in a deep bed of waiwe leaves and left to themselves.

JayJay

[Carey]

The candlenut (kukui) has many commercial uses, and like the macadamia, has high oil extraction valuea... also like the macadamia, the current market value for the oil places a higher value in extraction for non fuel uses (it is a premium oil for cosmetics, soaps & such)

One tidbit of info to remember.... This tree is very connected to the Hawaiian people... you may be surprised at how connected the two are if you are planning a commercial venture...

[JayJay]

Not planning a commercial venture myself but just observing... because I'm strictly small-scale permaculturally based. I've come to realize how rapidly an 'orchard' of these trees could be established by simply constructing rock-lined beds, filling with cinder at the bottom and then guava leaves on top (which can be raked up... using a light weight leaf rake with metal fingers) and then completing the construction of the bed with guava leaves. The heat produced during decomposition seems to be ideal for the nuts to grow in as they start 'popping up' all through the bed poducing small trees which could either be directly transferred into orchard rows or potted for later use. Of course during the construction of the bed the nuts must be inserted - lol! Four years seems about right Doctor and they do respond well to osmocoting.

JayJay