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Chrysophllum cainito, Star Apple

Star Apple should be grown in full sun or partial shade on fertile, well-drained soils. Plants should be mulched beneath the canopy and watered regularly until established, then they can withstand occasional drought. Unfortunately the tree has not been widely planted but should make a good, durable urban tree in USDA hardiness zones 10b and 11. Trunk and branch structure is quite durable provided trees receive some early training and structural pruning.

Prune to maintain a dominant leader (one main trunk) by cutting back or removing competing leaders. Do this every 3 years for the first 15-20 years after planting. Do not allow branches with included bark to grow too large because they could split from the tree. This is best accomplished by removing some secondary branches (especially those toward the edge of the canopy) along those branches with included bark in the crotch. Regularly reduce the length of low aggressive branches by making drop crotch cuts if these branches will be in the way later and have to be removed. This will prevent having to make large pruning wounds later because the pruned branches will grow slower. Large pruning wounds can initiate decay in the trunk and branches, and decay can advance rapidly.