Mountain Apple Tree (‘Ohi’a ‘ai)

Syzygium malaccense has a number of English common names. It is known as a Malay rose apple, or simply Malay apple, mountain apple, rose apple, Otaheite apple, pink satin-ash, plumrose and pommerac (derived from pomme Malac, meaning “Malayan apple” in French)

The combination of tree, flowers and fruit has been praised as the most beautiful of the genus Syzygium. The fruit is oblong-shaped and dark red in color, although some varieties have white or pink skins. The flesh is white and surrounds a large seed. Its taste is bland but refreshing.

Malay apple is a strictly tropical tree and will be damaged by freezing temperatures.[12] It thrives in humid climates with an annual rainfall of 152 cm (60 in) or more. It can grow at a variety of altitudes, from sea level up to 2,740 m (8,990 ft). The tree can grow to 12–18 m (39–59 ft) in height. It flowers in early summer, bearing fruit three months afterward. In Costa Rica, it flowers earlier, with ripe fruit in April. Coffee growers use the species to both divert birds and provide shade.
In Hawaii, Syzygium malaccense is called mountain apple or ‘Ōhi’a ‘ai. When the Polynesians reached the Hawaiian Islands, they brought plants and animals that were important to them. The mountain apple was one of these “canoe plants,” arriving 1000–1700 years ago.

Botanical name: Syzygium malaccense

Origin: Malaysia

The flowering of Mountain Apple trees, also known as Ohi’a ‘ai in Hawaiian, typically occurs in Hawaii during the spring and early summer months. Specifically, the flowering season can vary slightly depending on local climate conditions and elevation:

– In lower elevations and warmer areas, Mountain Apple trees tend to start flowering from late spring, around April to May.

– At higher elevations or in cooler regions, flowering may begin a bit later, extending into early summer, around June to July.

Height: Ohi’a ‘ai grows up to 60 feet tall.

Sun exposure: Apple trees need to be planted where they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight as measured in early summer (late June to early August). Sufficient sun exposure triggers the initiation of new flower buds for the next growing season, without which there will be no fruit.

Planting instructions: The tree does well in soil that is moderately acidic, but fails in highly alkaline locations. If you are planting more than one tree, space them between 26 to 32 feet apart. Mountain apple care includes ridding the areas around the tree of weeds and providing generous irrigation, especially in dry weather.