How Much Room Do You Need to Grow Cacao Trees?
What chocolate lover doesn't fantasize about growing her own backyard cacao tree (Theobroma cacao)? While the trees don't require a lot of physical space, they do need a tropical climate. Does this Spark an idea?
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Mature Size
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Cocoa tree average 13 to 26 feet in height, though they can grow up to 65 feet. The trees develop a branching shape and grow outward rather than upward.
Geography
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Cacao trees are native to the tropics, South America in particularly. They can be cultivated throughout the tropics and cannot grow in temperate climates. Temperatures below 15 degrees Celcius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the tree, making it ill-suited for cultivation outside the tropics.
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Considerations
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If you have at least 30 feet of height and live in a tropical climate, there's no reason not to try the cacao tree. Plant your tree in shade to mimic the native rainforest understory environment.
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References
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