Are Almond Trees Bad For The Environment? Are They Dangerous To Bees Also

Almond trees are rumoured to consume alot of resources. With the amount of resources put into the production of the almonds, there are so many questions that arise.

Many feel it’s a waste, unhealthy and dangerous both to humans and animals alike.

This article will discuss if almonds are as dangerous as alleged.

Almond tree nuts spread on a surface

Do Almonds Really Waste Water?

It is true that Almond farming consumes a lot of water but can one really call that a waste. The almond is a water intensive crop just like other nuts but this plant is in such demand that there can’t be any alternative.

In California, where 100% of almonds are produced in the U.S.A, residents are faced with a severe drought. Many have placed the cause for this drought on the ever increasing almond farms.

However, they forget that there are several other kinds of agriculture like animal agriculture that consumes just as much water or even more.

Why Are Almonds Bad For Bees?

Technically speaking, almonds are not bad for bees. Rather it is what almonds are treated with backed up by the amount of strain, ill-treatment and inconvenience meted out to the bees that’s bad.

Bees return back from pollinating almonds either ill or dead.

Studies show that 50 million passed away between the years 2018 and 2019. Almonds trees are occasionally treated pesticides which are

Are Almond Trees Bad For The Environment

The popular answer to this question would be yes. Alot of experts have considered the amount of water consumption, pesticides and bees that are either abused or overused by the almond tree, they believe it is bad for the environment.

Water Consumption

The majority of almonds in the U.S are grown in California which happens to be a drought stricken country. Natural reserves like rivers, are used for irrigating almond farms.

This leaves the aquatic life in danger as they look shelter and hydration.

Chemicals

A large amount of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides are sprayed regularly on almond trees, due to how susceptible they are they to pest and diseases.

Sadly, these chemicals pose a great threat to the life of the bees used to pollinate these almonds.

Records show that over 50 billion bees have died due to exposure to harmful chemicals in almond farms.

Fertilizers

In order to have a bountiful harvest, Almonds trees are fed fertilizers that contain a surfeit amount of Nitrogen. When absorbed into the human body Nitrogen can cause low blood pressure and dilate blood vessels.

It can as well be harmful to babies, pregnant women, livestock, and wildlife. 2

Are Almond Trees Grafted?

It is possible to graft almond trees. During propagation, a bud of the desired variety is grafted to hardy rootstock. Almond buds can be grafted onto almond, peach, Asian plum or apricot rootstock.

How To Draft Almond Trees

  • Make a little cut in the bark of the rootstock. Then raise it to ensure it will slip off stress-free. Do not forget to water the rootstock 2 days before the process begins.
  • Collect bud wood by cutting twigs of the current year’s growth from an almond tree of the desired variety.
  • Cut off the tips of the branches– they are too young to draft.
  • Clip off the leaves, leaving about one-half inch of the petiole as a handle. Place them in a plastic bag to prevent them from drying out.
  • Leave one and a half inch of the petiole to serve as a handle when you cut off the leaves.
  • Pick a seedling Woodstock with the same diameter of the bud wood.
  • On the bark of the trunk make a one and a half inches long vertical cut, a few inches on top of the soil line.
  • Form a T-shaped cut by making a horizontal cut on top of the vertical cut.
  • Then raise the bark on both sides of the T.
  • Measure an inch above and make a cut under a bud on the bud wood.
  • Take your knife and slide it under the bud and take it up three quarters of an inch on the other side. A small piece of wood should be attached to the bud.
  • Now, move to the T shaped cut and open it, slide the bud inside the cut.
  • Use the petiole handle you made initially and move the bud to the bottom of the slit.
  • Grab the rootstock bark flap and wrap them with grafting tape ot rubber grafting strips.
  • Ensure the bud isn’t covered.
  • After two or three weeks, take off the binding– make the cut opposite the bud.
  • The bud will be dormant till the next planting season, so wait and remove growth when it starts growing.
  • Also, don’t allow any new growth from the rootstock.
  • Take out the remaining rootstock shoots after the second year. 1

Are Almond Trees Easy To Grow?

With the right practices and climate, almond trees are easy to grow. The best climate for almonds is a hot summer with low humidity and frost free growing season. Frost affecting the flowers would completely ruin them and prevent bud formation.

To ensure a seamless almond production or farming, here are other things to take into consideration.

  • Use a fertilizer on the tree. It is best to use a balanced fertilizer and apply it along the tree’s drip line.
  • Sandy soil is best for growing Almonds – they have good drainage.
  • Ensure the tree receives enough light, it should be located in the full sun.
  • Most importantly, the tree should be provided with enough water

Are Almond Trees Evergreen?

No, the almond tree is a deciduous tree so it isn’t evergreen. A deciduous tree is one that loses its leaves in autumn. Farmers plant these trees for the sake of aesthetics and decoration (they also plant them for food Sometimes).

Unlike evergreen trees that do not lose their leaves.

The almond tree sheds its leaves in December and it can take about 5 years to mature like other deciduous trees. Other common deciduous trees are maple, oak and beeches.

How Much Space Do Almond Trees Need?

It is best that almond trees be planted 19 – 26 feet away from each other. This is due to their deep rooted nature. But the spacing varies depending on the maturity of the tree. Space young trees 18 feet from each other.

This prevents overcrowding, and shadowing of trees which eventually negatively affects the quality and quantity of the harvest.

How Do You Grow A Dwarf Almond Tree?

To successfully grow a dwarf almond tree, here are some important things to know;

  • The plant has to sufficiently irrigated especially during dry seasons.
  • Pruning is essential for this plant as it can tend to get messy if left alone.
  • This plant requires full sunlight
  • Ensure to keep the soil moist.
  • Fertilize the plant in spring

Where Do Almond Trees Grow Best?

Almonds grow best in climates that have dry hot summers with a great amount of sunlight. Almond trees grow best in zones 7 to 9 in the U.S those zones are Southeastern states.

They are all the way up the coast to Massachusetts in the east, the coastlines of Washington, Texas, the Southwest, Oregon, and California.

Do Almond Trees Grow In Australia?

Yes, almond trees grown in Australia. They grown in places like in the Swan region in Western Australia, westward from the Riverina region to Sunraysia, Riverland, and Northern Adelaide Plains.

Victoria, south Australia and New South Wales produce Australia’s almonds. They produce 65%, 32% and 3% respectively.

Citations Used In This Article

  1. How to Graft Almonds (homeguidesfgate)
  2. Is Almond Milk Bad for the Environment? (treehugger)