Cutnut - barringtonia procera

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Cutnut - barringtonia procera

By goodadmin | May 23, 2007

by steve stamos

The Cutnut is a member of the Lecythidaceae family (Brazil nut family trees). It is a medium size evergreen, tropical tree that can reach a height of 24m and produces a vigorous framework of branches with an open canopy structure. It is found in the humid tropical rain forest of the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. It is grown in home gardens and it is common in both inland and coastal rural villages. It does well on a wide range of light to heavy soils with a good free drainage.

Cutnut prefers light shade, which makes it a suitable companion to over story tree species. Mature cutnut trees are more tolerant to shade than seedlings. It can however, with proper planting provide in turn good shade and shelter to under story crops or trees such as cacao with its open canopy structure framework of branches. Leaves are large, simple, measuring 20–60cm. Flowers grow on long spikes containing up to 100 buds that vary in color from white to red. Fruit is elongated, oblong to ovoid, green or dark purple on outside and the typical length of a mature fruit is 2.5–10 cm.

Cutnut tree is used for soil stabilization, windbreaks and as a crop tree. The fruit contains an edible nut when mature. 20-25 years old trees can produce an annual yield of up to 3000kg/hectare and 500kg of kernels/hectare per year. Cutnut nut tree makes also an excellent specimen for the home garden.

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