Tropical fruit trees that prefer shade

[fruit nerd]

I have a small cleared section on my property that is inside a section of forest. The canopy is closed so there is basically no direct sunlight. At the moment, I am doing nothing with this spot. It's a nice little place in the dry season but pretty much a no go section in wet season due to mosquitoes. I wouldn't mind planting some fruit trees in this location but the heavy shade does reduce options considerably. Any suggestions for fruit trees that prefer shade/forest under story? If it's relevant, the soil in this location has lots of clay but the drainage is excellent since it is on the side of a hill.

[Daintree]

My best performing shade-lovers are cacao and coffee.  You could plant some vanilla vines and let them go up the bigger trees. 

Carolyn

[Finca La Isla]

Salak could work there.  Depending on just how shady it is kepel and some garcinias might do alright.
Peter

[Galatians522]

Pineapple would be an easy option. It is perfectly at home in dapeled shade.

[brian]

Coffee loves shade?  I have always had mine in full sun and they look very happy.

I agree cacao and garcinias seem to like shade.

[mbmango]

Tea.  Loquat, but not sure about productivity in heavy shade.

[fruit nerd]

Thanks for the suggestions. Definitely keen to give these suggestions a try!

[pagnr]

Australia, FNQ, 13a
Have you considered Australian native fruit species ?
Fingerlimes, Cedar Bay Cherry, etc
or go for similar understory species from overseas.

[Julie]

Pineapples, black pepper, katuk

[Daintree]

Coffee loves shade?  I have always had mine in full sun and they look very happy.

I agree cacao and garcinias seem to like shade.

Probably depends on where you are. I am in high desert at almost 3,000 ft and not a single cloud all summer long.  You could probably ROAST coffee in the sun here in the summer 

[K-Rimes]

I have read that starfruit prefers shade? Mine are doing pretty good in a not so hot spot sun wise.

[roblack]

Coffee and its relatives do well in the shade. Not sure what is best for productivity in particular climates.

Carambola does well in partial shade for me, and fruits heavily year round.

Yehuda loquat is said to do well in shade. Mine is in the shade. Looks happy, but no flowers yet.

[Galatians522]

Carambola does fruit in shade, but it seems to me that fruits from trees in full sun have slightly sweeter fruit. Maybe it is just perception on my part.

[Satya]

i moved grumichama, rainforest plum and some jaboticabas into shade and they're doing much better than in previous sunny spots. Grumichama's taste improved, too, but could also be from soil change. They all seem to like soils rich in minerals.

[FMfruitforest]

Carambola does fruit in shade, but it seems to me that fruits from trees in full sun have slightly sweeter fruit. Maybe it is just perception on my part.

Science supports your claim, Stronger light intensity =increased photosynthesis= increased Glucose content in Fruit.

[fruit nerd]

Australia, FNQ, 13a
Have you considered Australian native fruit species ?
Fingerlimes, Cedar Bay Cherry, etc
or go for similar understory species from overseas.

Interesting idea, I do have one native fruit tree growing on my property. Perhaps a Davison plum could be suitable for the area.

[johnb51]

Carambola does fruit in shade, but it seems to me that fruits from trees in full sun have slightly sweeter fruit. Maybe it is just perception on my part.

Science supports your claim, Stronger light intensity =increased photosynthesis= increased Glucose content in Fruit.

Just what I was thinking!

[Plantinyum]

Coffee and carambolla are also shade lovers for me.

I would suggest monstera deliciosa, i havent tried the fruit but i havent read a bad reviel on it yet. The plant is shade loving and will climb trees and looks verry decorative also.
Another one could be salak as suggested above.
Not a fruit, but vanilla vines could also do well but you'll have a hard time harvesting the pods from the trees canopy .....

[Finca La Isla]

Vanilla would do fine grown on posts under the trees that are at a manageable height.

[Draak]

Naranjilla

[HibachiDrama]

Ugni/Chilean Guava