Do Almonds Grow on Trees? If yes, how do almonds grow? Growing them is easy? Find the answers to these questions in this article!
All nuts, with the exception of the peanut, grow on trees. Almonds grow on trees as well and are a native of the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. Almonds trees can now be found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and in California. The latter is where most of the almonds come from that are sold in the United States and other parts of the world. The United States is the biggest producer of almonds.
Almonds are Stone Fruits
The confusion surrounding the growth habits of almonds comes from two factors–One it’s a stone fruit and two peanuts are not nuts, but legumes.
Learn how peanuts are grown here
Stone fruit is a seed surrounded by a fleshy casing, like a peach. Whereas peach seeds are not edible, and the fleshy casing is, the opposite is true for almonds. The interior seed, or nut, is the desired food, not the fleshy casing.
Peanuts also create confusion for the almond. Peanuts grow underground and form a small bush above the ground. However, peanuts are not nuts at all, but rather a legume. Peanuts are related to soybeans, black beans, and chickpeas.
Almonds are stone fruits, also known as drupes. Hazelnuts and chestnuts also fall into this category.
Want to know how cashews are grown, click here
Almond Tree Growing Information
Almond trees grow best in climates that have mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Not hot summer, but warm like the Mediterranean climate! The trees are drought-tolerant as well!
But most of the varieties are not self-fertile, so if you plan on growing almond trees and enjoying the produce, you will need a minimum of two trees. However, if you want to grow one tree due to lack of space, the good news is that scientists are developing new self-fertile varieties, you can find them online or at nearby nurseries.
Almond trees are a relatively small tree and will reach a mature height of between 12-20 feet, in some cases they grow up to 30 feet tall! Because of their small size and other growing habits, two almond trees can be planted in the same planting hole. This allows for cross-pollination and nut production from both trees, while only taking up the space of one.
Check out the most interesting facts about almonds here
The roots of the almond tree grow very deep, to ensure the best survival of trees planted separately or together, the planting hole must be 18-24 inches deep.
Feed almond trees with organic compost or well-rotted animal manure in spring when buds first appear. Prune every other year when the tree is dormant to maintain tree health and production and to keep it the desired size.
Ideal Ornamental Trees
Almond trees go dormant in winter but put on a spectacular blossom show in spring. The light pink and white flowers open in late February and early March in preparation for pollination. The showy blooms, which will make the tree look like it’s snow-covered, last until March.
