PLANT A TREE OF LIFE - GROW ‘ULU

PLANTING GUIDELINES
How and Where to Plant Make a “mulch ring” (Fig 1 & 2) with compost,
The site for your breadfruit should be sunny and soil, and organic matter (leaves and tree chips).
have space for a tree, that with careful pruning, you The mulch ring should be at least 6 inches away
can keep to about 15-20 feet tall and 15-20 feet from the trunk of the tree and the mulch should not
wide. Look up and make sure buildings, other trees touch the trunk. Think “donut of mulch” rather than
or electric wires are not in the way of the future tree a muffin shape piled around the trunk. The purpose
canopy.  of the mulch is to conserve water and slowly
release it to the new fine feeder roots of the tree.
For natural air conditioning and shade, plant
your tree in the western corner of your yard to Mulch also prevents weeds, adds nutrients for
make shade in the hot afternoon. the roots, and keeps the tree roots and grass roots
well separated.
Site Preparation
Watering
After you pick the spot for your tree, start to get rid
of any lawn grass. You do not want grass to Water daily gently and thoroughly during the
compete with the young growing tree. Remove all morning or evening hours. You want to make sure
the grass within a 2-3 feet wide circle. Pull out the to soak the original root zone (the size of the one-
grass by the roots; smother it with black plastic or gallon pot) and the adjacent soil area where the
layers of wet newspaper. fine feeder roots are now growing (Fig 3 & 4). 
Watch your tree for signs of leaf wilt. If the
Rake up leaves, or get tree chips and start
leaves are wilting, you need to water more. Once
making compost to nurture your breadfruit tree. You
established, your tree will need less water. Older
can also buy compost or soil conditioner. Place this
trees can survive in hot times and in drier areas, if
in a mound on the tree planting site (Fig 1 & 2).
they were well tended and watered when young.
Water the compost or leaves to activate the natural
organic acids they contain to help improve the soil. Tree Care, Harvest, and Pruning
This will help make it easier to dig the planting hole Young breadfruit trees are very “hungry” and will
and will help kill the invasive grass and its benefit greatly from fertilizer in the first year. Please
persistent roots.  consult your local garden center for available
Breadfruit needs good drainage. Do the “hose products. We recommend a complete fertilizer
test.” Dig the hole and fill it with water. If the water (N-P-K) along with micronutrients. The trees do not
sits there and doesnʼt drain after a minute or so, need a heavy application, but fertilizing will greatly
you need to improve the drainage. Dig it out with a help the tree become established. Water your tree
pick and add organic material, compost, and coarse and add to the mulch ring as needed. Organic
cinder. Redo the hose test and make sure the water matter breaks down quickly in Hawaiʻi, so you will
drains well. need to add more over time.
Planting Hole In 2-1/2 to 3 years your breadfruit tree will start
to bear fruit.
The planting hole needs to be exactly as deep as
the soil in the one-gallon pot and twice as wide (Fig You can now do some selective pruning if you
1). Dig the hole and measure it. Too deep and the have a small yard. Keep the lower branches that
young breadfruit tree will “drown.” Too shallow and are easy to reach to pick the fruit. Never cut more
the roots dry out. than 1/3 of the treeʼs branches at a time. If you are
unsure, get help from a professional arborist or tree
Gently massage and lift the plant out of the pot.
trimmer.
Keep the root ball intact. Set it in the planting hole
and gently firm the soil around the root ball. Harvest the fruit, cook and eat it.
Make this a celebration!
BREADFRUIT INSTITUTE - NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
3530 Papalina Road, Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii 96741
Phone: 808.332.7324 ext 221 Fax: 808.332.9765 www.breadfruit.org
 BREADFRUIT TREE PLANTING GUIDELINES

Figure 1

Young breadfruit tree

Soil berm or mound Mulch ring - leaves, tree chips, etc.,
6 inches from tree trunk

Dig planting hole: 2x as wide as Soil

pot and exactly as deep as pot. Outer
mulch
ring
Figure 2 around
mature
tree

Aerial view of “mulch ring”

Figure 3 Focus water on root, soil
zone, and mulch ring

Soak this area daily until

young tree is established Figure 4

Text & Illustrations: Heidi Leianueanue Bornhorst

Fine feeder roots grow sideways, anchoring the
tree helping, it grow big and strong

Plant a Tree of Life - Grow ‘Ulu is supported by a grant from the Ceres Trust

The Ho’oulu ka ‘Ulu project of the Breadfruit Institute of the National Tropical
Botanical Garden and the Hawaii Homegrown Food Network aims to revitalize
'ulu (breadfruit) as an attractive, delicious, nutritious, abundant, affordable, and
culturally appropriate food which addresses Hawai'i's food security issues.

www.breadfruit.org www.breadfruit.info