The capuli tree thrives in cool to temperate climates and is adapted to a wide range of altitudes. It prefers regions with mild winters and moderate summers, but it can also tolerate frost down to approximately -7°C. The tree can be grown at various altitudes, making it suitable for both lowland and highland areas. It is well-suited to agroforestry systems, where it is interplanted with other crops such as lucerne, corn, and potatoes. The capuli tree's ability to grow in different climates and altitudes contributes to its versatility and widespread cultivation.
Capuli
The Capuli, scientifically known as Prunus salicifolia, is a fruit-bearing tree native to Mexico and introduced to the Andes region. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 10 meters at maturity. The fruit resembles European cherries with a dark purple skin and pale green, juicy flesh, and it can be eaten fresh or used in various culinary preparations. The Capuli tree is well-suited for agroforestry and its wood is highly valued for its strength and resistance to fungal and insect attacks.
Prunus salicifolia
Mexico
- The capuli tree is also known by its scientific name, Prunus salicifolia. - It is a member of the Rosaceae family. - The capuli cherry does not require a period of chilling to set fruit. - It is an erect, semi-deciduous tree that can reach a height of 3m in 12-18 months and eventually grow up to 10m. - The capuli is believed to be native to Mexico and was introduced to the Andes by the Spanish. - The fruit grows in bunches and has a dark purple skin and pale green, juicy flesh. - It has a flavor similar to wild cherries and is commonly eaten fresh in the Andes. - The capuli fruit can also be stewed, preserved, made into jams, and used to make wine. - It is known for being frost tolerant to about -7°C. - The capuli tree can start producing fruit 2-3 years after planting and does not require cross-pollination. - In California, it has been known to produce two crops in one year during exceptionally mild winters. - The capuli tree has deep roots that help bind the soil, making it suitable for agroforestry. - The wood of the capuli tree is harvested after a few years and used for various purposes such as tool handles, posts, firewood, and charcoal. - After 6-8 years, the tree yields excellent timber used for guitars, furniture, coffins, panelling, and other high-value products. - The wood is hard, resistant to fungal and insect attack, and has a yellow sapwood and reddish-brown heartwood. - The capuli tree can be propagated from seed, but the fruit quality of seedling trees can vary. - The fruit is used to make syrup for respiratory troubles, and a leaf decoction is used as a febrifuge and to treat diarrhea and dysentery. - Leaf infusions are used as a sedative in colic and neuralgia, and the pounded bark is employed as an eyewash. - The capuli tree has supple and strong branches used for making baskets, and the old roots are valued for carving tobacco pipes and figurines.
Loamy, well-drained soil.
Family: ROSACEAE
The capuli or capulin cherry, unlike true cherries, does not require a period of chilling to set fruit. It is an erect, semi - deciduous, very fast growing tree, reaching a height of 3 m in 12 - 18 months and eventually attaining 10 m at maturity. The capuli is believed to be native to Mexico but was introduced to the Andes by the Spanish. In the five hundred years that followed, the Andean people have adopted the capuli as a backyard tree. The selective breeding that has happened in that time is said to be considerable.
It is frost tolerant to about - 7°C, where some damage may occur. Because it does not require a cold spell to set fruit, it can be grown in much warmer conditions than conventional cherries.
The capuli fruit grows in bunches almost like grapes. The fruit is similar in appearance to that of the European cherry, with a dark purple skin and pale green, juicy flesh, with a flavour similar to wild cherries. Although the fruit is mostly eaten fresh in the Andes, it is also stewed, preserved, and made into jams and wine. The cherries are used as fillings for tamales in Mexico.
A capuli tree will produce fruit 2 - 3 years after planting and does not require cross - pollina-tion. In California, during an exceptionally mild winter, it has been known to produce two crops in the one year.
The capuli seems well suited to agro forestry. It has deep roots which bind the soil and in the Andes is interplanted with field crops such as lucerne, corn and potatoes.
In the Andes the wood is harvested after a few years for tool handles, posts, firewood and charcoal. After 6 - 8 years it yields an excellent timber which is used for guitars, furniture, coffins, panelling and other high value products. The wood is hard and resistant to fungal and insect attack.
The sapwood is yellow with touches of red, and the heartwood is reddish brown and fine grained and consequently fetches high prices on the market. The young branches are supple and strong and used to make baskets. The old roots are valued for carving tobacco pipes and figurines.
A syrup is made from the fruit to alleviate respiratory troubles. A leaf decoction is used as a febrifuge and to halt diarrhoea and dysentry. It is applied as a poultice to relieve inflammation.
Leaf infusions are used as a sedative in colic and neuralgia, and as an antispasmodic. The pounded bark is employed as an eyewash.
Capuli trees can easily be propagated from seed, but the fruit quality of seedling trees tends to be variable.