Frost protection for macadamia trees

Young macadamia trees are susceptible to frost damage. Symptoms of frost damage are:

• leaves will turn brown and wilt
• the stem can pop much like a burst waterpipe
• flowers will die in spring frosts
• macadamia nut development can be halted and flavour affected with autumn frosts.

To mitigate this damage you could:

• wrap the stem of the young macadamia plant in aluminium builders insulating paper up to a height of around 40cm, or the first branch. The paper with a tar centre-layer is stronger and thicker and gives better protection than the cheaper paper.
• erect 4 posts around each macadamia tree, and wrap the structure in cloth such as windbreak cloth.
• cover the roof of the protective structure with quality frost cloth.
• spray around the base of each macadamia seedling to maintain bare earth. This helps absorb maximum solar energy during the day.