Types of Almond Trees

The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is native to the Middle East and South Asia. In the United States, it is most commonly found in California, where the pollination of almonds is the largest annual managed pollination event in the world. Eighty percent of the world's almonds are produced in California.

Insect-pollinated Early Bloomers
Insect-pollinated almond trees produce a high quality of nut. One of the most popular varieties is the California Nonpareil, which produces large, smooth almonds with thick shells and a good portion of edible kernel per nut: 60 to 65 percent on average. Another popular insect-pollinated almond tree is the Ne Plus, which has long, narrow almonds with sweet kernels. Nonpareil and Ne Plus are often planted together for cross-pollination. They bloom in February, ripen in September and are suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9.

Insect-pollinated Late Bloomers
Late-blooming varieties of insect-pollinated almond trees include Oracle and Bounty. These varieties are the best options for areas with a high risk of frost. Oracle produces good crops of large nuts with semi-hard shells and is suitable for growing in USDA zones 4 through 9. Bounty has easily shelled nuts and grows well in USDA zones 6 through 9. Both varieties bloom in late March.

Self-pollinated
The Tuono almond tree is a self-pollinating variety and is typical of this type of almond tree with its thick, hairy shells and a less-desirable harvest: around 32 percent of edible kernel per nut. The main advantage of self-pollinating almond trees over insect-pollinated varieties is that their sturdy shells provide higher protections from dangerous pests, such as the navel orangeworm. Agricultural Research Service researchers have successfully cross-bred the Tuono with the Nonpareil, resulting in a hybridized variety of almond tree that is self-pollinated, reducing the dependency of the almond tree grower on increasingly expensive insect pollination, while maintaining good quality of flavor, oil content and skin color.

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Almond Tree Information

Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) are members of the rose (Rosaceae) family, along with plums, peaches and apples. The almond tree is very closely related to the peach tree. While almond trees are mostly cultivated for their edible nuts, their attractive shape and beautiful blossom makes them a good specimen tree in a Mediterranean-style garden. There are dozens of almond tree varieties in cultivation.

Description

Almond trees are medium sized deciduous trees that rarely grow higher than 25 feet. The dark green leaves are between 3 and 5 inches long with finely serrated edges. The white or pale pink blossom is fragrant and appears in early spring before the leaves. The nuts, actually drupes, look like small, unripe peaches before splitting open to reveal the almond after eight months on the tree.

Range
Native to Mediterranean climate areas of Pakistan, Syria and Turkey, almond trees are now grown in temperate climate areas all over the world. The wild form of the domesticated almond tree, which produces bitter almonds, grows across the Mediterranean.

History
Almonds trees have been in cultivation since at least 3000 B.C.; almonds have been found in ancient Greek tombs dating back to 8000 B.C. Almonds were also found in the tomb of Tutankhamen dating from 1325 B.C. The almond tree was introduced in the U.S. by Spanish padres of the Santa Barbara Mission in California. As of the early 2000s, California accounted for 42 percent of global almond production, with 500,000 acres of cultivated almond trees.

Cultivation
Prunus dulcis trees should be planted in the winter, while the flower buds are still dormant. This gives the tree the chance to develop its root system. Almond trees thrive in sunny conditions and grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil, although they will tolerate most soil types. In the U.S. almond trees are suitable for outdoor planting in USDA zones 7 and above. Frost or rain during the flowering season will seriously reduce the year's almond crop.

Uses
Mature almonds are eaten raw or used as a cooking ingredient the world over. The unripe nuts can be eaten green and even pickled. Almond oil is an important base in the cosmetics industry and is also used as a lubricant for delicate machinery such as watch mechanisms. The wild form of domesticated almond trees produces bitter almonds which contain dangerous levels of cyanide if eaten raw. Cooked bitter almonds are traditionally used to flavor Italian confectionery.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6538083_almond-tree-information.html