How Tall is a Cacao Bean Tree?

An immature fruit on the trunk of a cacao bean tree.

The Aztecs and Mayans cultivated the cacao bean tree, better known as the chocolate or cocoa tree, and considered it a tree of the gods. The botanical name of this species reflects that sentiment -- Theobroma cacao -- meaning "food of gods" in Greek. Native to the rain forests and shady woodlands across Central America, the cacao bean tree typically grows up to 26 feet tall, although rare instances of 60 feet are possible.

Natural Habit

Rarely do cacao bean tree flourish in full sun exposure. They are understory trees that prosper in the dappled bright shade under tall trees. A cacao bean tree develops a single trunk or few smaller trunks with a low, spreading canopy of branches resembling an umbrella. Each branch bears loose, airy groups of large, green leaves dangling downward. The tree's canopy seems coarse and sparse. The root system grows shallowly and widely. The tree continues growing upward to the bright, diffused sunlight in the forest.

Size

An average size measures roughly 20 to 25 feet tall and 12 to 16 feet wide. An evenly moist, fertile soil with an acidic pH encourages best growth. Dry soil or low ambient humidity limits the size and health of leafy branches. The cacao bean tree is intolerant of frost. Any excessive cold kills back trees. If still alive after the freeze, it rejuvenates with multiple sprouts from the trunk base.

Harvesting Cacao Pods

The height has little effect on collection and access to ripe cacao pods. Unlike other fruit trees, the cacao bean tree produces tiny white flowers directly on its trunk and branches. Ladders or high-reach equipment are not needed, as pods occur within reach of the ground or the lower, innermost branches. The pods resemble miniature golden-to red-purple footballs pointing downward on the trunk. When split open, the pod reveals a five-celled fruit filled with many, slimy, large, bitter-tasting pulpy seeds. These seeds, once dried, roasted and pulverized become cocoa powder.

Where Cacao Bean Tree Grows

Today, cacao bean trees grow all around the tropics where fertile soil and temperature remain above freezing. The regions correlate to U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 11 and warmer, where winter lows don't drop below 40 degrees F. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's 2008 data, leading world producers of cocoa are the Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Ghana, Nigeria and Brazil.

References

• "Tropical and Subtropical Trees"; Margaret Barwick; 2004
• Purdue University; Theobroma Cacao; James A. Duke; 1983
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Food Crop Commodity by Nation (2008)

Resources

• University of Louisiana, Lafayette: Some Interesting Facts About Theobroma Cacao
• U.S. National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map