The **West Coast Tall (WCT) coconut tree** is a prominent and widely cultivated tall variety of coconut palm, particularly common along the western coast of India, especially in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It's often referred to as the "Ordinary" or "Common Tall Variety."

Here's a brief description:

* **Height:** As its name suggests, the WCT is a tall variety, reaching significant heights, typically around **60-80 feet (18-24 meters)**, and can even grow taller. This height contributes to its long lifespan, which can be **100-150 years or more**.

* **Bearing Age:** It takes a bit longer to start fruiting compared to dwarf varieties, usually beginning to bear nuts around **6-7 years** after planting.

* **Yield:** Once mature, the West Coast Tall is known for its **high yield**, often producing an average of **80-100 nuts per palm per year**, and under optimal conditions and good management, some sources claim it can produce even more (e.g., 150-250 nuts/year).

* **Nuts:** The nuts are generally **oval-shaped** and medium to large in size. They contain a good quantity of copra (the dried white flesh), which has a high oil content (around 68%). The copra from WCT is highly valued for oil extraction and other coconut products. The coconut water from WCT nuts is also appreciated for its taste.

* **Adaptability:** WCT palms are quite adaptable and can grow in various soil types, including littoral sands (coastal sandy soils) as well as interior soils. They show some tolerance to moisture stress.

* **Economic Importance:** Due to its high yield of quality copra and oil, the West Coast Tall is a preferred choice for **commercial cultivation**, especially in regions where coconut oil and other coconut products are significant. It's also suitable for tapping to produce toddy (coconut sap) which can be fermented or made into jaggery.

In Kerala, the **Kuttiyadi** ecotype is a particularly well-regarded strain of the West Coast Tall, known for its superior yield, taste of water and flesh, and higher oil content. Approximately 95% of the coconut trees in Kerala are said to belong to the West Coast Tall category, highlighting its immense importance in the state's agriculture.