There are a million reasons to visit the Caribbean, but toward the top of the list is the native vegetation. At the top of that list, of course, are the fruit trees that populate the region. They are beautiful, relatively easy to care for, and of course give us treats all day. In addition to providing delicious tropical fruits, fruit trees are the perfect statement tree to add color and interest to your existing landscaping. Here are five fruit trees to consider growing if you live in the Caribbean.
Sweetsop
Related to the North American Pawpaw and the South American Cherimoya, the Sweetsop’s middle is often described as being like a pudding, which is why it also often called the “custard apple.” The seeds are hard, and the flavor is an interesting mix of banana and apple, and the rind is slightly bitter. The sweetsop tree has a classical tropical look, very vertical, meaning it is great for highlighting certain parts of your landscaping.
Cocoplum
The cocoplum is actually more of a bush, making it great for certain types of landscaping, but the lightly-flavored fruit is great for someone who wants fruit but doesn’t like too much sugary flavor. Additionally, the seeds tastes like almond, and can be used in cooking or roasted and eaten. Caring for the cocoplum is relatively simple, whether you choose to trim it or let it grow out to its natural rounded shrub state. They can reach 15 feet, but are typically kept to around four.
Star Fruit
While star fruit has certainly spread to many parts of the world, its home is in the Caribbean. The flavor of the fruit is sharp and almost citrusy, and they are very juicy. They can be sliced or eaten as is, off the tree. The tree is a droopy one, with beautifully separated leaves that add texture to a garden, patio or yard.
Sapodilla
The sapodilla fruit is said to taste something like brown sugar, and it is best eaten when the fruit is very soft. If you find an unripe one, you’ll notice it to be a very astringent flavor. The leaves of the sapodilla tree are thick and dynamic, reminiscent of pineapple leaves, appearing sharp and almost dangerous, with the sapodilla fruit at the center.
Guava
Guava trees are decorative, lush and dense, and can make for a statement tree as well as a simple shade tree. The fruit is a complicated one, with a flavor that is both sweet and tart, pairing well with cheese, usually when its jelly is in a pastry of some sort. A guava tree on your property will pay dividends in both decoration and in sustenance.
If you want fruit trees as part of your landscaping, contact Landscaping by EA so that we can figure out the best options for your location, soil, and the look of your property. There are many other Caribbean fruit trees to discover for your property, as well.
