Anacardium occidentale

A large evergreen tree, Cashew grows up to 10-12 m tall with a short and usually irregularly-shaped trunk. It has spreading branches and a canopy that can spread up to 12 m. The leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern, pale green in color but shiny, with fine veins, and are relatively large but narrows towards its base. It usually takes three years after planting before it starts production, and eight years before economic yield can begin. However there are breeds like the dwarf cashew tree that takes only a year to start production and three years to attain economic harvest. This breed grows up to 6 m tall and is known to have been more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields, as compared to the traditional variety. The tree is known for its seed or nut which is widely consumed raw, roasted, as an ingredient, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The cashew apple, on the other hand, is processed into a fruit drink or distilled into liquor, and used for jams and candies. Cashew nut also produces edible oil but due to the high economic value of the nut itself, the oil is not commonly extracted. The young shoots and leaves are edible as well. As a medicinal plant, the leaves are used as treatment for reducing fever, malaria, toothache, and gum problems. The bark is used to reduce blood sugar levels and to detoxify snake bites. Cashew syrup is used as relief from coughs and colds. Cashew apple juice is believed to be an effective treatment for syphilis, cholera and kidney problems. The sap or bark extract is used as a contraceptive. Further, the gum is used to treat leprosy and fungal conditions. The tree grows well on poor sandy soil conditions. It is a tropical plant that must be grown in a frost-free environment. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds due to its fragrant flowers. It can be propagated through stem cuttings or seed sowing.

Anacardium occidentale is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m by 20 m at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Flies, Bees, Ants, Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Agroforestry Services: Living fence Global Crop Industrial Crop: Oil Management: Standard Other Systems: Homegarden Staple Crop: Protein-oil
A plant for lowland tropical and subtropical areas, succeeding at elevations up to 1,000 metres. Grows well in hot, semi-arid, frost-free climates, fruiting well with an annual precipitation of 500 - 900mm. It occurs in warm and humid climates with an annual rainfall of 1,000 - 3,500 mm. Prefers a pronounced dry season of 3 - 4 months. Plants are not tolerant of frost, preferring a minimum temperature no lower than 18c. Plants produce their best crops when grown not too far from the coast. Cashews can also be grown satisfactorily in semi-arid areas but can show erratic production as a result of relative small variations in rainfall. An easily grown plant requiring very little attention once established, it succeeds in soils that are too poor to support other crops. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil and a position in full sun. The species can bear heavy, waterlogged clay soils or saline soils but with an extreme poor growth. Brackish soils near seashores and inundated or swampy soils are not suited. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 - 6.5. Established plants are drought resistant. Tolerant of maritime exposure. Early growth is usually rapid, with young trees sometimes flowering when only 18 months old. Although slow-growing, it can commence bearing when only 4 - 5 years old. Trees are fast growing. Trees have a productive life span of 30 - 40 years, normally beginning to bear in their third or fourth year and, under favourable conditions, attaining maximum production in around 7 years. There are many named forms. The root system of a mature tree, when grown from seed, consists of a very prominent taproot and a well-developed and extensive network of lateral and sinker roots. Spacing over 40 ft. .