Argania spinosa

Cultivation Details

A plant of very arid areas, mainly in the subtropical areas of northwest Africa, but just entering the tropics in Mauritania, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metre^[1]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c^[1]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, but new growth is severely damaged at 0°c^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 200 - 300mm, but tolerates 100 - 400mm^[1]. Requires a sunny position^[1]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, including very poor, dry soils^[1]. The tree is well suited to calcareous soils, sandy deposits and relatively poor semi desert soils conditions but not drifting sands or water-logged soils^[2]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8^[1]. Established plants are very drought tolerant - they can shed their foliage and remain in a state of dormancy for several years during prolonged droughts^[1]. Trees may start to bear when 5 - 6 years old from seed, and reach maximum production at the age of 60 years^[1]. Average fruit yield may be about 8 kg per tree^[1]. A long-lived species, with trees living for 200 - 400 years^[1]. Trees respond very well to coppicing^[2].