Native & adapted

Nance

Byrsonima crassifolia

Also known as Nanche · Nancite · Golden spoon · Murici

A small Central American tree with yellow, cherry-sized fruit that has a strong, cheesy-sweet aroma. Tolerant of poor soil and dry conditions.

EdibleFruitingHeat tolerantEvergreen

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b

Plant spacing

12–15 ft from other trees

Frost

Damaged near 30°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; damaged near 30°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Summer into fall.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Tolerates poor and sandy soil if it drains.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Sunny spot with frost protection.

Cold hardiness

Cover on every frost night

Nurseries rate it to about 30°F and say protect it from freezing. Cover it any frost night, especially while young.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 30°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Morton calls it highly drought tolerant, and it grows in sunny tropical savannas, so it's one of the better heat bets in this group. There's no Phoenix track record, so give young trees afternoon shade until you see how they handle July.

Sources:

hort.purdue.edu , toptropicals.com

Right plant, right place

Will Nance grow at your Arizona property?

Fruit drops when ripe; collect it from the ground.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun to afternoon shade.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate; tolerates some drought once established.

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-fertile; bees visit the yellow flowers.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh, in drinks, in syrup, or soaked in liquor.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Nance thrive

1
Cover young trees on frost nights.
2
Water deeply and let the soil dry between waterings.
3
Prune lightly after harvest.
4
Gather fallen fruit daily in season.

Read the horticultural reference ↗