White zapote tree - Casimiroa edulis

Description and Uses

Casimiroa edulis (White zapote tree) is a tropical tree from Amazone. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (short shelflife), The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 7 - 9 years. The first yield will be 5 fruits/tree/year but in its top season there will be a yield of 30 fruits/tree/year. There is oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s fresh leaf yielding 0.5 - 2% oil. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 4000 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 25 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Casimiroa edulis has a lifespan of 40 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 18 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Casimiroa edulis has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by . Casimiroa edulis is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Casimiroa edulis thrives in an altitude of 1200 to 2400 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 14 - 24°C. The optimal rainfall is 1700 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 750 - 1900 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is intolerant to wind tolerant and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 4 months. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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