How to prune rough-shelled macadamia

Late winter to early spring, after harvest and before new growth begins. Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches back to a lateral or collar. Thin the interior to let light reach the lower canopy. For height control, head back leading shoots to a strong outward lateral. Avoid pruning during flowering to protect yield.

Annually, after each harvest. Rough-shelled macadamia (Macadamia tetraphylla) is pruned similarly to M. integrifolia: light annual thinning after harvest to open the canopy, improve light penetration, and control height. Remove no more than 25% of canopy at once. M. tetraphylla tends toward a denser, more spreading habit, so regular light pruning is more important than for its smoother-shelled relative.

Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches back to a lateral or collar. Thin the interior to let light reach the lower canopy. For height control, head back leading shoots to a strong outward lateral. Avoid pruning during flowering to protect yield.