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Cara Cara Orange Trees for Sale
Citrus made easy for growers, nurseries, and distributors
The Cara Cara navel orange is a unique and highly sought-after citrus variety, prized for its exceptional flavor, vibrant internal color, and nutritional benefits. Originally discovered in Venezuela in the mid-1970s, this fruit is a natural mutation of the Washington navel orange. What sets this variety apart is its rich, pinkish-red flesh—often compared to that of a ruby grapefruit—paired with a sweet, low-acid taste and subtle berry-like undertones.
A Cara Cara navel orange tree is a beautiful addition to any garden or orchard. It typically offers fruit from December through May in California.The tree thrives in warm climates, prefers full sun, and requires well-drained soil to produce its best harvest.
Lemon Trees Your Way
From seed to container-ready.
How Our Cara Cara Trees Are Different
When purchasing Gillette navel orange trees from TreeSource, growers receive clean-propagated, true-to-type material from verified budwood sources. We emphasize uniformity, strong root development, and early structure so trees establish quickly and grow evenly. Shipping is handled in heavy-duty palletized triwall containers designed to secure pots and protect canopies, ensuring trees arrive healthy, stable, and ready to plant.
For orchardists and collectors seeking a classic California navel with heirloom pedigree, the Gillette orange offers a balanced, true-navel eating experience and a reliable mid-season harvest window. Whether planted in commercial rows, boutique groves, or heritage blocks, Gillette connects growers to the foundational era of California citrus — supported today by TreeSource’s clean stock program and professional handling to ensure healthy establishment and long-term success.
Cara Cara Trees FAQs
What is the minimum order quantity for wholesale Cara Cara tree purchases?
TreeSource is a wholesale supplier, so we do have minimums. However, if you can find Cara Cara trees on the Availability Page, you can order with no minimums in place. Search the page for Oranges (Navel).
What are the shipping costs and delivery times for wholesale orders?
Shipping costs vary widely depending on the destination and tree quantities. Orders placed during the week are typically shipped on the following Monday using UPS Ground.
How resistant are Cara Cara orange trees to pests and diseases?
Cara Cara orange trees are moderately resistant to some pests and diseases, but they aren't immune. All About Citrus and Subtropical Fruits by Ortho can help you learn more. Here's a brief breakdown of their resistance and vulnerabilities:
Common Pests:
Aphids: Can cause leaf curling and attract sooty mold due to honeydew
Citrus leafminer: Larvae that tunnel into young leaves, causing curling and distortion
Scale insects: Sap-sucking pests that can weaken trees
Spider mites: Especially common in dry conditions
Whiteflies and mealybugs: Occasionally a problem, especially in greenhouses or humid climates
Just like other sweet orange varieties, Cara Cara trees are somewhat susceptible to disease. Potential issues include:
Phytophthora root rot: A fungal disease that affects roots in overly wet soils
Huanglongbing (HLB or Citrus Greening Disease): One of the most serious threats to citrus; spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)
What irrigation system or water requirements should be considered for Cara Cara Navel orange trees?
Citrus can easily be overwatered, so it’s best to have them on a watering schedule once a week. Buy a hose timer so you can water your citrus trees correctly.
Baby trees only need 10 gallons of water a week during the spring and all, so if it rains enough, you can skip a week. As your tree thrives and matures, irrigate in line with the “drip line” of the tree, which is what the outer edge of the tree canopy is called and is where the roots are growing in your soil.
When the canopy is about 3 feet in diameter, buy an in-line drip hose that you can form into a circle with drippers about 2 feet apart. Make the drip hose circle 4 feet in diameter around the tree, ensuring that the tree is in the center of the circle.
It is best to keep the water away from the trunk of older trees. As the tree grows to 6 feet in diameter, add another circle at 7 feet for a larger wetted area, keeping the original 4-foot circle. Potted trees are quite different from in-ground trees and require frequent watering, often daily during the warmer months.
How do Cara Cara oranges perform in various climates, and are there specific regions where they thrive?
Cara Cara navel oranges can thrive in a variety of climates, but they definitely have their preferences. Here’s how they generally perform in different environments:
Ideal Climate (USDA Zones 9–11)
Mediterranean to Subtropical climates: Think California, Arizona, parts of Florida, or southern Texas.
Warm, dry summers and mild winters are perfect.
They need plenty of sunshine and warmth to produce sweet, richly colored fruit.
Cooler Climates (USDA Zone 8 and below)
These zones are challenging, but it’s possible to make it work with protection.
They’re not frost-tolerant. Freezing temperatures (especially below 27°F / -2.8°C) can damage or kill the tree.
In borderline areas, people grow them in containers and bring them indoors during cold months.
Greenhouses or high tunnels can help extend the growing season.
Hot/Dry Climates
They do okay in hot dry climates if they have::
Drip irrigation to manage water efficiently.
Mulching to protect roots and retain moisture.
Late afternoon shade.
Note: Excessive dry heat can sometimes lead to sunburn on fruit and leaves, so some partial afternoon shade or strategic planting can help.
Humid/Tropical Climates
Cara Cara trees have a mixed performance here. For instance:
The fruit set may be more sparse.
Fruit may be less sweet if nights don’t cool off enough—cool evenings help concentrate sugars.
There is higher disease pressure (like fungal issues) due to constant moisture and humidity.
Root rot and citrus greening (HLB) are more prevalent in these areas, so choosing disease-resistant rootstock and monitoring trees is key