The almond tree (Prunus amygdalus) although it belongs to the stone fruits, it is considered in the acrodryas as its fruit is included in the nuts. It is a deciduous, fruit-bearing tree, with spectacular spring flowering and light green, long, narrow, toothed leaves. It is the earliest flowering fruit tree. The almond tree can reach a height of 12 meters and is drought tolerant. It bears fruit from the third year of its age up to 70 years.
Flowers
Its flowers are impressive, white in color with a pleasant smell and light pink petals and appear even in winter before the leaves of the tree appear. The flowering of the almond tree occurs on the annual shoots in rosettes.
Fruit
Its fruits have great nutritional value and are highly resistant to barren and arid or calcareous soils. The fruit of the tree is the well-known almonds which are used as nuts.
Terrain
It grows well in all types of soils, even in stony and steep soils, as long as they have good drainage.
Position
It loves sunny places and those protected from strong winds. An ideal position is the one with south or west orientation.
Watering
It has moderate watering requirements, especially in hot seasons. Young plants, until they settle in their place, need more frequent watering. Once established in one place it is drought tolerant. But production is significantly reduced under dry conditions.
Pruning
Its fruiting pruning aims at good lighting and ventilation of the tree. It takes place in autumn after the leaves have fallen. Includes:
- Removal of entangled shoots inside the crown.
- Removal of dry shoots and branches.
- Slight shortening of the long shoots to promote fruiting.
- Removal of greedy shoots and offshoots.
Lethargy
The needs of the almond tree in cold to stop the dormancy of its eyes are small (250-400 hours, temperature below 7oC) and that is why the almond tree blooms earlier than all the fruit trees and thrives in areas with mild winters. Limiting factors are the low temperatures of winter and spring and the very high summers of summer.
Enemies and Diseases
The main insects that infect the almond tree are the fruit capsule, which creates galleries in the fruit, the nightshade, which sucks the juices from the leaves and the saboteur.
Fungal infections often infect the almond tree and cause rot on the fruit and drying of the trees. Bacteria can also cause infections in trees Pseudomonas sp.
The sending and delivery of trees is done ONLY within Prefecture of Thessaloniki.
