How many years does it take for anise trees to bear fruit?

The star anise tree is an evergreen tree of the genus Illicium in the Schisandraceae family, mainly distributed in Southeast Asia and North America. Its fruit is the famous star anise, a common seasoning spice with a sweet taste. It can be widely used in cooking and has a high economic value. So how many years does it take for star anise trees to bear fruit? Let’s learn more about it below.

How many years does it take for anise trees to bear fruit?

The fruiting cycle of anise trees usually takes 3 to 8 years. The specific time of fruiting depends on many factors, such as variety, planting conditions and maintenance management.

How to plant star anise trees to make them bear fruit quickly?

1. Seed selection

Choose excellent varieties. Generally, we choose healthy mother trees that are 20-50 years old, have vigorous growth and high yields over the years as the objects for seed collection. Such seeds have higher genetic quality and growth potential.

2. Site selection and land preparation

Star anise trees are suitable for planting in hilly or mountain forests with high altitudes (500-800 meters), warm climates and sheltered from the wind. Before sowing, it is necessary to clear away low trees, shrubs , tree roots, rocks, weeds and other debris in the planting area, and deep plow and harrow the land about 30 cm deep, and apply sufficient base fertilizer.

3. Seed treatment

The seeds can be sown immediately after being harvested, or they can be stored in sand for germination. When germinating in sand, mix the seeds with clean fine sand in a certain proportion, keep the sand moist, and sow when 50% of the seeds show buds.

4. Key points for sowing

(1) Sowing time: In frost-free areas, sowing can be done from December to January of the following year. In frost-prone areas, sowing can be done in February or March when the temperature returns to above 12°C.

(2) Sowing method: The best sowing method is row sowing, with a furrow spacing of 2 cm to 3 cm, a depth of 3 cm, and a row spacing of 15 cm to 20 cm. After sowing, cover with a layer of straw and water thoroughly. Generally, the seeds will germinate and emerge from the soil about 20-25 days after sowing.

5. Seedling management

About 20 days after sowing, the seeds will germinate and emerge from the soil. At this time, the covering should be removed and a shade shed should be built to keep the ridges moist. During the growth process of seedlings, it is necessary to frequently loosen the soil, apply fertilizers, weed, and prevent and control diseases and pests in a timely manner.

6. Forest management

Management during the mature stage includes pruning and reclamation. Reclamation of mature forests can change the soil structure for growing star anise, promote the normal differentiation of flower buds and the growth and development of young fruits. Reclamation is generally carried out once every 3-4 years.



Generally speaking, it takes at least three years for an star anise tree to bear fruit, and at most eight years. The specific time depends on many factors. However, through scientific planting and management, the fruiting time of star anise trees can be shortened and their economic value can be increased.