Canarium vulgare aka Chinese Olive

Canarium vulgare is known as Java almond or kenari nut. It belongs to the Burseraceae family. Its native range runs from Java to Vanuatu. This tropical tree grows fast and sheds its leaves. It forms part of the forest canopy in its range. It grows in dense forests on limestone and drier rain forests. Trees may grow together in groups.

The tree can reach 148 feet [45 metres] in height. One source gives a spread of 98 feet [30 metres]. Its trunk has deep grooves and often bends. The trunk can measure about 2.3 feet [0.7 metres] across. Large buttresses may rise 10 feet [3 metres] above ground. Its oblong leaves have a thin, papery feel. Flower clusters grow at the ends of branches. Insects pollinate the flowers. Flowers and fruit can appear at any time of year.

This is a tree for warm, lowland tropical sites. It also grows at heights up to 3,937 feet [1,200 metres]. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 10–12. It needs sun and does not grow in shade. It prefers moist soil that drains well. It accepts sand, loam, and clay. It also tolerates mildly acid through mildly alkaline soils. Seed-grown trees start to yield nuts after six to eight years. The hard seed coat can make sprouting slow and uneven. Careful filing helps water enter without harming the seed.

People eat the kernels raw or cooked. Their sweet taste makes them a substitute for almonds. Ground kernels can go into bread and other dishes. The seeds also yield an edible oil. Wild nuts tend to hold two or three kernels in separate chambers. Cultivated trees may bear nuts with one larger kernel. These nuts are easier to crack. Seed shape and quality vary between trees. The sources report no known hazards, but give no pet-specific safety findings.

People grow this tree for food, shade, and ornament. It also shelters nutmeg groves and lines roads. The seed oil can fuel lamps. Its resin has medicinal use as a balsam. People also use the resin in varnish and boat caulking. The hard shells suit carving. The soft wood serves as fuel and material for canoes. Buttresses have supplied wood for paddles. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases.