How many years does it take for Castanopsis tung oil to bear fruit?

Castanopsis tung, also known as water winter melon and water winter tung, is a deciduous tree belonging to the Castanopsis genus of the Aglaonema family. Because of the high oil content of its fruit, it is called the "oil depot on the tree". It is an important woody oil tree species with broad planting prospects . So how many years does it take for the Castanopsis chinensis to bear fruit? Let’s learn more about it below.

How many years does it take for Castanopsis tung oil to bear fruit?

Mountain ash generally starts to bear fruit 3 to 4 years after planting, the initial fruiting period is 4 to 8 years, and the average yield per mu is about 1,000 kilograms. The peak fruit-bearing period lasts 50 to 70 years, and the average fresh fruit yield per mu can reach about 2,000 kilograms. However, the specific fruit-bearing time and fruit yield will also be affected by factors such as planting environment and management level.

How to plant Castanopsis japonica to produce more fruits?

1. Selection of seedlings

High-quality Castanopsis truncatula seedlings should have the characteristics of well-developed root system, straight trunk, normal color, full lignification, no mechanical damage, and no quarantine objects. The seedling height should be above 60 cm and the ground diameter should be greater than 0.6 cm. You can choose tissue culture seedlings or grafted seedlings, these seedlings can effectively increase the fruit setting rate.

2. Site selection and land preparation

Choose a place with plenty of sunlight, humid climate, fertile soil and good drainage to plant Chinese tung trees, and avoid low-lying and windy areas. In addition, Castanopsis has high requirements for soil and requires loose, fertile, well-drained loam. Before planting, the soil should be improved by adding appropriate amounts of organic fertilizer and trace elements such as phosphorus and potassium.

3. Planting time

The best planting season for Castanopsis tung oil is spring or autumn. The temperature in these two seasons is suitable, which is conducive to the growth of Castanopsis tung oil.

4. Planting of seedlings

First, dig a small hole in the center of the planting hole, 30 cm long, 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep, then place the sapling in the center of the hole, cover with soil and compact it. Make sure the seedling is straight, the roots are sparse, and the soil is compacted to prevent hollowness at the roots of the seedlings. After planting, water the roots in time. It is best to water the soil thoroughly, usually 15 kg per plant.

5. Pollination tree configuration

Since Castanopsis castanopsis is dioecious, in order to increase the fruit yield of the trees, the ratio of female to male plants should be properly allocated during afforestation. Arrange pollination trees in a ratio of 8:1 between female and male plants to ensure that female trees can be pollinated evenly.

In general, Castanopsis tung oil tree usually starts to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting and is a high-quality and high-yield woody oil plant. Paying attention to mastering the relevant planting points can ensure the survival rate and fruit yield of Castanopsis japonica.