Prunus armeniaca

Apricot

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
8m 3
10m 5
4-7m 10

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Rounded crown 3
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (44 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 9

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Productive for 30-40 years 17

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard tree 8

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Watering, formative pruning 211, mulching 2, shelter 12

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Watering during dry periods, especially leading up to harvest 56
Little pruning required for mature trees 5
Pruning depends on climate, soil, cultivar, rootstock, planting density, tree age and harvesting method 6
Feed with nitrogen 6

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer 1

Prunus armeniaca, Urban Greening Botanical Gardens, Kiba Park, Japan/ Daderot/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits, preserves, liquers 79

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: –

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Kernels used as nuts or for oils 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Begin fruiting after 4-5 years, with full fruiting at 8-10 years 7

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: –

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – shallow roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Long-established introduction (archaeophyte) 2

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups: Likely moderate 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Early spring 5

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Likely moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Toxic (especially young leaves, twigs, and seeds) 1731

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: None known

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Relatively unaffected, but can be affected by bacterial canker, blossom wilt, brown rot, peach leaf curl, honey fungus, phytophthora, replant disease, powdery mildew, silver leaf, dieback 1314
High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
Aphids can be a problem on young trees 13
Wasps and hornets can damage fruits 1314

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Likely low
Birds can damage fruits 613