Tree tomato is a fast-growing but short-lived, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2 - 7 metres tall. The bole is short, with thick lateral branches. The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, which is very popular in some areas. It also has medicinal uses and supplies dyestuff and tannins. The plant is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit in sub-tropical areas and the higher elevations of tropical zones.
The tree tomato cannot tolerate prolonged drought and must have an ample water supply during extremely dry periods. A mulch is very beneficial in conserving moisture at such times.
Recommended fertilizer application is 0.5 to 2.2 lbs (0.25-1.0 kg) per tree of NPK 5:6:6, half in early spring and half in midsummer. In the 5th or 6th year, the grower is advised to give a special feeding of 2 parts superphosphate, 1 1/2 parts nitrate of soda, 1 part sulphite of potash, in late winter or early spring, at the rate of 2 to 3 lbs (1-1.5 kg) per plant–approximately 10 to 16 cwt per acre, or 100 kg per hectare.
The tree tomato cannot tolerate tightly compacted soil with low oxygen content. It requires fertile, light soil. It grows well on deep lateritic soil in Haiti. Perfect drainage is necessary. Water standing for even a few days may kill the tree.
Seedling trees are pruned back the first year after planting to a height of 3 or 4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) to encourage branching. Annual pruning thereafter is advisable to eliminate branches that have already fruited and induce ample new shoots close to the main branches, inasmuch as fruit is produced on new growth.
The tree tomato is not tropical but subtropical. It flourishes between 5,000 and 10,000 ft (1,525-3,050 m) in Ecuador; between 1,000 and 3,000 ft (305-915 m) in Puerto Rico; 1,000 to 7,500 ft (305-2,288 m) in India. In Haiti it grows and fruits to perfection at 6,000 ft (1,830 m). In cooler climates, it succeeds at lower elevations. It does best where the temperature remains above 50º F (10º C). Frost at 28º F (-2.2º C) kills the small branches and foliage of mature trees but not the largest branches and main stem. The tree will recover if such frosts are not prolonged or frequent. However, seedlings and cuttings are readily killed by frost during their first year.
