7 years- that’s how long it takes for an areca palm tree to mature. But after maturity, it’s the most lucrative tree you could have! The mighty areca palm tree, like any other tree, starts off as a simple sapling. It grows quickly over the years, and as it grows, it sprouts leaves. As it becomes taller, the lower leaves fall, leaving scars on the trunk that give the tree its signature look. It bears fruit in clusters that can be harvested when they’re ripe. The fruit contains the areca nut that the farmer wants. On average, it takes 7 years to mature and start producing its fruit, and can continue to do so for another 2-3 decades. Very generous, wouldn’t you say? During this time, it produces enough fruits and leaves to sustain different people that work in the plantation. Did you already know why these trees have scars? Well, you do now!