People all over the world grow almond trees for their delicious culinary seeds. These are species of small trees under the genus Prunus. Almonds along with peaches, are classified under the subgenus Amygdalus.
The corrugations on the outer shell (endocarp) that surround the seeds distinguish this subgenus from other subgenera.
Almond fruit is a “drupe.” It has a fleshy outer hull that covers the inner hard shell. This shell contains a seed inside, which is not a true nut. You can buy almonds with or without their shells. Blanched almonds can be stored for a long time.
These nuts are popular in cooking and show up in many cuisines, especially desserts like marzipan.
Almond trees like to grow in places with mild Mediterranean weather, where winters are chilly but not too cold. They are indigenous to Iran and nearby areas like Levant. Nowadays you hardly ever see them growing wild in their native regions.
Almond trees are one of the earliest well-known domesticated fruit trees. They can be propagated through grafting or by using nuts. When propagated through grafting, the offspring typically inherit traits true to their parents. However, in nut propagation, this guarantee is not always present.
California produces more than half of all the almonds, in the world market. But growing all those almonds takes up a lot of land, water, and pesticides. Due to climate change, persistent heat and drought increase the odds significantly.
As a result, production remains unsustainable, causing some producers to exit the industry. This reduction in supply ultimately drives prices upward.
Description of Almond Trees
These deciduous trees reach a height of about 4 – 12.2 m (13 – 40 feet). Their trunks can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. The serrated margined leaves grow about 8 – 13 cm (3 – 5 in) long. Petioles (about 2.5 cm or 1 in long) attach these leaves to the stems.
When young, the twigs are green, but they turn purplish when exposed to sunlight and eventually become grey in their second year.
Almond flowers are either white or pale pink. They have a diameter of 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) and consist of five petals. These flowers appear singly or in pairs before the leaves emerge in early spring.
Fruits
The fruits mature during autumn, approximately 7 to 8 months after the flowering stage. They grow about 3.5–6 cm long. As the drupe matures, the fleshy layer (hull) splits away from the shell. Thereby, an abscission layer forms connecting the fruit to the stem, and finally the fruit falls from the tree.
These trees start producing economic crops about three years after they are planted. Once they establish themselves fully, which takes about five to six years, they bear to their maximum potential. Depending on the circumstances, matured trees can produce fruits for up to twenty-five years or more.
Almond trees thrive in Mediterranean climates characterized by warm, dry summer months and charmingly mild, wet winter months. The best temperature range for almond growth is between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The dormancy requirement is about 200 – 700 hours of chilling below 7.2 °C (45.0 °F) in a year
Growing Almond Trees
There are some points to consider before buying and growing a plant from online or offline stores. We have briefed a few of them below:
Check for signs of pests or diseases in the plant. You may also consider disease-resistant varieties as a safe bet.
Most almond varieties can thrive through winters in USDA Zones 7-9. Some cold-hardy varieties can even withstand colder climates, down to zone 5. We recommend you start planting in late spring or early fall, in a sunny spot
Plant the seedlings 15 to 25 feet apart from each other. Dig a hole that is approximately 18 to 24 inches deep. Place the sapling gently into the hole. Backfill with soil, ensuring the taproot is firmly laid at the bottom.
For best results, try to match the planting depth as it was in the nursery container. This goes true for both potted plants and bare-root plants.
Like all nut trees, almonds are sensitive to root tampering. So never try to trim or force-fit the roots in small containers. Handle the roots gently, spreading them out evenly to prevent tangling.
Light
Choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, as these specimens produce well in sunny locations.
During winters you may use protective covers to shield these trees from harsh cold winds. Planting these trees near a south-facing wall can also serve this purpose to some extent.
Soil
These saplings thrive best in loose, well-drained, and well-aerated soils, that facilitate easy penetration of roots. Loamy soil or sandy loam (pH value 6-7) provides a suitable environment for them to grow flawlessly. If your space has compact or heavy clay, try adding organic matter to improve its structure.
Propagation of Almond Trees
Root Grafting
Chrishibbard7 at English Wikipedia, CleftGraft2ndYr (cropped), CC BY-SA 3.0
When it comes to almonds, budding or root grafting is the common method of propagation. It is straightforward and highly effective. in this method, offspring are true to their parents.
In this method, growers graft fruit-bearing branches into the hardy rootstock. Often, they use peach or bitter almond varieties, with more resilient characteristics as rootstock, to prevent soil-borne diseases.
This also results in faster and healthier growth, compared to seed propagation. Growing two different compatible varieties helps cross-pollination, thereby increasing production.
Growing from Nuts
In this method, the nuts produced in the child tree are not often true to the parent tree. Moreover, it takes a longer time for the seedling to grow, establish itself, and produce fruit.
To start, buy or gather fresh nuts and soak them for about 48 hours in tap water. Then wrap them in a wet paper towel and put them in a clear plastic bag. Keep this arrangement under refrigeration for about 3-4 weeks, until the nuts sprout out.
Then, sow each seed in a separate pot that is filled with well-drained soil mix. Place the arrangement in direct sunlight. Maintain the soil moist but never let it soggy. When the plants grow about six inches tall, transplant them to outer space or big individual containers.
Caring for Almond Trees
Water
Like all nut trees, these trees require plenty of water to survive healthy. Despite their drought tolerance characteristics, they require sufficient watering to produce more yields. So, try to maintain about 3-4 inches of water every week. This helps maintain soil moisture. But never over water as it can lead to diseases like root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Almond trees thrive in regions with hot summers and low humidity. These conditions contribute to a robust nut crop. The almond nuts take about seven to eight months to fully mature. Therefore, a long growing season without frost is crucial for good yields.
The spring frosts can harm the flowers, thereby reducing the harvest. Hence it is important to grow them in suitable environments like California.
Fertilizer
It is best to conduct a soil test to make informed fertilization decisions. This helps optimal growth and crop production as almond trees enjoy the right nutrient balance.
Before the growing season begins, consider applying a balanced fertilizer. Opt for one with low nitrogen content but is rich in potassium and phosphorus. Follow the application instruction sheet that comes with the package. Check and adjust soil pH periodically.
Pollination of Almond Trees
Certain specimens exhibit self-fertile characteristics, while others rely on cross-pollination. To achieve optimal nut production, the flowering times of both parents must align. Careful selection of compatible parent varieties significantly impacts the quantity and quality of crop yield
Types of Almond Trees
Generally, there are two types of almonds grown – sweet and bitter. We commonly use sweet varieties (Prunus dulcis var. dulcis) as most of them are edible. Unlike them, growers plant bitter varieties (P. dulcis var. amara) as pollinators or ornamentals. We have briefed some popular varieties below:
‘All in One’
The ‘All-In-One’ tree is a great choice for your backyard. It grows to only about half the size of a regular tree, which makes it perfect for smaller spaces like home orchards
This variety is special because it can pollinate itself, which means it does not require a neighboring tree to help it produce fruit. This makes it even more valuable for gardeners with limited space
This tree produces soft-shelled nuts. The fruits typically ripen during the last weeks of September or early October
‘Nikita’s Pride’
This late-blooming variety is cold hardy to winter temperatures (USDA Zone 5). This exceptional variety produces high-quality, large, soft-shell nuts. Although it self-pollinates to some extent, planting near other varieties such as Oracle and Bounty, can lead to large production of nutritious and delicious nuts.
‘Hall’s Hardy’
This is one of the best cold-tolerant (Zones 5 to 9) varieties of plants. It produces good crops in chilling temperatures.
Although it is a bitter variety, wildlife like deer and birds can consume it safely. With its light pink gorgeous blossoms, it can serve as an ornamental addition to your spaces.
‘Penta’
This is a late-blooming variety compared to other varieties. Despite its delayed bloom, it still manages to yield a generous harvest of almonds in late summer, much like its almond-growing relatives in California.
The Penta almond tree, originally cultivated for the European almond industry, was intentionally bred to enhance its quality. It also has good disease resistance.
Harvesting and Storing Nuts
As the fruits mature, they change color from green to brown or golden yellow. Then, the hulls split, exposing brown nuts. At this stage, shake the nuts off from the tree. You can shake trees manually or use shaker machines like farmers for this purpose.
Father of Nehrams2020, AlmondShakerbeforeafter, CC BY-SA 3.0
Before shaking the trees, it is advisable to place tarps or sheets underneath. This practice makes collecting the fallen nuts much easier.
In any case, do not delay to harvest the exposed nuts, as they are vulnerable to birds and insects.
Drying and Storing
Ivar Leidus, Almond shell, CC BY-SA 4.0
After collecting, remove the left-over hulls on the nuts. Then, dry the nuts in a sunny space in single layers. You can use tables or similar structures placed in a sunny area for this purpose. You can also cover the arrangement with mesh, to avoid birds preying on nuts. Stir the nuts occasionally to ensure even dryness on all sides.
After a few days, using a nutcracker, crack a few nuts. If the kernel within the nut is rubbery, it is not completely dry. So, carry out the drying process for some more days. If the kernel is hard, it is ready to store!
Storage
At room temperature, these nuts (kernels with shells on) can be stored indoors for about two years. But keep them away from intense heat and direct sunlight.
Shelled almonds, which are the kernels taken out of their shells, have a limited shelf life at room temperature. To prolong their freshness, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store shelled almonds in air-tight containers in the refrigerator. This can extend their shelf life to approximately one year.
Freezing: For even longer storage, consider freezing them. Studies indicate frozen almonds can last for about two years or even more.
Pruning
Almond trees go dormant in winter. This is the best season to prune them. However, some growers like to leave the tree unpruned for larger fruit yields as the trees mature. In any case, it is best to remove dead or broken branches, shoots that block the sun, poorly angled branches that prevent vertical growth, etc.,
Overwintering
As these specimens go dormant in winter; they require little to no water or food. To safeguard them from freezing temperatures, apply mulch or cover it with burlap cloth at night. This protective measure helps shield the buds from potential frost damage.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Almond trees are sensitive to environments. Therefore, they are affected by many afflictions.
Pests
These specimens are susceptible to various pest infections
Naval Orangeworm: This pest is notorious for boring into, consuming, and destroying almond nuts. Farmers combat this problem by using pesticides.
Leafrollers: Another pest that targets almond trees by eating their buds.
Aphids and Scale: These insects produce honeydew (insect waste), which attracts ants to the host tree. Vigilance is necessary to prevent infestations.
Spider Mites: In dry conditions, watch out for white webs created by spider mites. You can remove them by spraying the tree with water.
Fungal Diseases
These specimens are susceptible to various fungal infections.
Canker: Canker is particularly lethal and can kill the tree. However, other fungal issues like anthracnose and leaf spot can be managed using fungicides.”
Verticillium wilt: This disease grows up to the xylem from roots and plugs it. Therefore, the shoots, deprived of water, wilt down. By using the hardy rootstock of Mariana 2624, bitter almond, peach, etc., as a grafted specimen, this disease can be avoided.
Crown Gall: Almond trees are susceptible to a bacterial disease called crown gall. This ailment typically enters the tree through cuts or wounds. Therefore, it is crucial to handle the tree with care. When pruning, ensure that you always use clean and disinfected equipment to cut branches.
Quick Reference Guide
| Botanical Name | Prunus dulcis |
| Common Name | Almond tree |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Plant Type | Nut Tree |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone) | 5-9 |
| Native Area | Middle East |
| Flower Color | White, Pink |
| Soil pH | 5.5-8.5 |
| Height | 10-25 feet |
| Spread | 10-15 feet |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Uses | Culinary (Sweet variety), Ornamental (Bitter Varieties) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Native to the Middle East, these trees thrive well in warm weather. They yield well in hot, dry, and long summers with plenty of sunshine.
Depending on conditions, these trees may start producing crops from three to four years. However, they may take about five to twelve years to reach their maximum production capacity. However, these trees can produce repeatedly for about twenty-five years, after they mature and establish themselves.
Some varieties are self-fertile. But other varieties depend on cross-pollination. If you go for cross-pollination varieties, make sure they bloom at about the same time, for successful fruit production
Some varieties like “All in one” grow only about 15 feet tall. They also produce the best crops. Therefore, you can grow them in your backyards.
Comparatively, almond trees do have high water requirements. However, do not let them soggy as that condition can lead to various diseases.
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