Okari nut
Terminalia kaernbachii
Big red-skinned fruit hold long, sweet kernels; one of New Guinea's best-loved forest nuts.
Hardiness: zones 11 to 12
Light: full sun
Size: about 60 ft tall, 40 ft wide
Harvest: June to September
From: Lowland forests of New Guinea
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: New Guinea & Melanesia. Hardy in zones 11 to 12.
The story
Okari is a lowland forest tree of New Guinea, prized for its long, sweet kernels. Families plant it near villages and gardens, and the nuts are sold in town markets in season.
Planting
Full sun, deep moist soil, hot and wet all year. Grow from fresh seed.
Growing
Mulch and keep weeds down while young; it grows into a big spreading tree.
Harvest and use
Crack the hard stone inside the red fruit for the kernels; eat them fresh or roasted.
What to watch for
A large tree, too big for a small yard. Frost-tender.
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home