Prunus dulcis

Almond

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
10m 1
8m 5
11m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular, up to 5m wide 1
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (43 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Low to moderate 1

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Often 30-50 years, but potentially 100 years or more 18

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard tree 8

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Minimal pruning, avoiding winter 7

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal pruning, avoiding winter 7

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer 1

Prunus dulcis Almond tree in flower/ מירב מזרחי/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Nuts for sweets, baked products and confectionary 9

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

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Oil and milk, traditional medicines 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Cropping from 4 years after planting, full cropping after 12-15 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 – 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.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – survivor 1

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: Feb-Apr 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 13

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Risk of toxicity from young nuts and leaves 31

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Root suckers may cause problems 2

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
High 11
May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, honey fungus, bacterial canker and brown rot. 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:
High 11
May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars 2

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate
Squirrels can damage trees 14
Squirrels and birds can damage nuts 14