Almonds just like any other nut comes with different varieties and types. Some of them are hard shelled while others are soft shelled.
Let’s discuss each of these different types of almonds, and other questions that arise concerning the almond tree.
What Does Almond Tree Look Like?
An almond tree has a rounded shape, and it’s normally 15 to 20 feet high, 10 to 15 feet wide. You can also identify an almond tree by its flowers. It’s flowers are pale pink spring flowers that come with dark-green, alternate, 3 to 6 inches long leaves that have fine-toothed margins.
Almonds trees produce hairy drupes which can be similar to immature peaches. It has single or multiple trunks which give way to an open and frequently spreading canopy.
Do Trees Grow Fast?
Yes, trees can grow fast, however, they will always within their capacity. It isn’t possible for a tree to mature years before the actual maturity time. The growth of a tree is highly dependent on its specie, site, amount of precipitation, temperature, sunlight and location.
Trees grow faster in warm climates, this is why a tree in the equator can reach maturity in 10 to 20 years. Contrary to trees in warm climates, trees in the northern latitudes grow quite sluggishly. Which is why trees in parts of Europe or boreal forests of Canada might take 120 years to reach maturity.
A tree is exposed to more sunlight and isn’t shaded is bound to grow faster than a tree that is shaded. Trees that get enough cold rains or water also grow really fast, for instance in a temperate rainforest zone contains some of earth’s biggest trees. Trees like the Sitka Spruce, the Giant Sequoia, the Douglas Fir, and the Redwood. These zones exist in North America, western U.S.A and parts of British Columbia. 1
What Are The Different Types Of Almonds?
- Butte Almonds
- Peerless Almonds
- Sonora Almonds
- Molar
- Ferraduel
- Marcona
- Nonpareil Almonds
- Carmel Almonds
- Ferragnès
Butte Almonds
These almonds come in a semi-hard shell that has a light color along with a smooth surface. It has a wrinkled surface, is small, short, and a little plump. The butte almond is one of the popular nuts in the world.
Peerless Almonds
These almonds are a mainly grown in California type. They are medium sized possess a hard shell, a light color, and a smooth wrinkled surface. Fun fact, these almonds have a shelf life of 24 months.
Sonora Almonds
This famous California nut is long, narrow, large with dark brown and rough surface. They also have a relatively thin shelf life.
Molar
These are a softshell variety of almond– an example is the Mollar Taragona. Their shells are easy to break and they have a succulent taste. 2
How Much Water Does An Almond Tree Need Per Day?
During watering season, almond and other adult trees require 20 litres of water per day. It also takes 1 gallon of water to produce one almond nut and 1,900 gallons to produce a pound of almonds. It is best to water an almond tree with 3 to 4 inches of water every two weeks from June to August.
How Much Water Does An Almond Tree Need Per Year?
The amount of water needed by an almond tree per year varies on the location and size of the Orchard. On an average, Southern Sacramento Valley can use about 41- 44 inches of water. In Kern Country, 40 almond orchards showed that seasonal water use in the southern San Joaquin Valley may be as high as 50 – 54 inches.
In some cases, High-density orchards, long pruned orchards can use up more water. 3
Where Do Almond Trees Grow In The US?
Almost all of the U.S almonds are grown in California. Almonds are also grown in parts of Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Idaho, Kansas, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Pennsylvania, South Carolina. 4
Can You Grow Almonds In Phoenix?
No, there are no records of any Almonds growing or been grown in phoenix.
Can You Grow An Almond Tree From An Almond?
Yes, you can grow an almond tree from an almond. However, you must ensure the almond is fresh, unpasteurized, unshelled, and unroasted. There is one way to get such nuts – from a farmer or overseas.
Heres how plant and almond seed.
- Put at least a dozen almonds into a container filled with tap water.
- Allow the nuts soak for 8 hours, then drain them.
- Use a nutcracker to crack the nuts just little enough to expose the nut inside.
- Now, you start the stratification process. Line a container with with damp paper towel or sphagnum moss and arrange the seeds in it.
- Then cover the container with plastic wrap. Place the container inside the fridge for the next 2 to 3 months. Check them regularly to ensure they are still moist.
- After the stratification process, fill the container with potting soil.
- Place each seed 2.5cm into the soil.
- Keep the container in a warm sunny area and water it.
- Water once every week or when dry. Transplant when the plant is 18 inches high. 5
Can You Keep An Almond Tree Small?
It is possible to keep an almond tree small specifically when it’s in a container or pot. Almond trees grown in a container can be 4 to 5 feet. If you want to grow your almond in container you must pick a container that is able to hold 10 to 20 gallons of potting soil and has a drainage hole.
The almond tree in a container is best placed in temperatures between 75° F and 80° F. If temperatures outside are cooler than this, take the tree inside but ensure it’s placed in an area where it can access natural or artificial sunlight.
Make sure you water the plant till water leaks down the drainage hole. This should be done once a week depending on the temperature and how dry the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil feel. Note that the plant will be dormant during water, so it can have less light and water. This period is best to prune the plant, and it should be done yearly.
Use a high in nitrogen fertilizer in fall and spring to fertilize your almond tree.
Are Almond Trees Messy?
Many farmers would say yes to this question, some would disagree. The almond tree can be messy sometimes specifically the hall’s hardy variety. However, it is something any farmer can handle.
Citations Used In This Article
- How Fast Does A Tree Grow? (blog.tentree)
- What Are The Different Types Of Almonds You Should Know About? (rapidleaks)
- Almonds (agedrought.ucdavis.edu)
- Where Do Almond Trees Grow (growpeanuts)
- Planting Almond Nuts – How To Grow An Almond From Seed (gardeningknowhow)