In the 1890s the Hawaiian government planted 2,000 trees on Tantalus as a reforestation project. Macadamia can grow from near sea level to about 2,500 feet elevation. The tree does not require irrigation and produces best on deep, well-drained soils. It takes a lot of work to produce the tasty macadamia nuts sold in the market. A hard, brown shell, covered by a tough green husk, protects the meat of the nut.
Factories have special equipment to husk and shell macadamias.