Nut Tree Production

To insure successful production of fruits, nuts, grapes, and berries in home orchards it is essential that proper varieties be selected. The varieties listed on this site are well suited to our particular conditions. It is quite possible that some varieties not listed may perform well in certain locations.

Annual pruning is important to help regulate crop load and fruit size on most tree and vine varieties.

Cross pollination is required on several varieties and at least two different varieties are required in these circumstances. If no pollination comments are made, assume a single tree will be fruitful.

Almonds, Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center, UC Davis

Only suitable for warmest locations below 1,500 ft. elevation. To avoid frost damage to flowers and small fruits, plant only in locations of minimum frost, such as tops of hills, on hillside slopes or near heated buildings. Avoid low areas between hills. 

• Recommended varieties when planting at elevations between 300 and 1500 feet: 
  • Nonpareil, Carmel, All-in-one (self fruitful), Butte,
    and Hall
• Two varieties are needed for cross pollination. 
  • Mission and Butte are two late-blooming varieties which can pollinate each other. The earlier blooming, soft shelled Nonpareil may be pollinated by Carmel or other mid-blooming varieties.

Chestnuts, Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center, UC Davis

Chestnuts are grown at elevations from 1000 to 3000 feet. Any two varieties of the same type nut will cross-pollinate.

Chestnut Culture in California, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources Publication 8010

Pecans, Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center, UC Davis

Heat is needed for best kernel development. Deep soil is needed for best tree growth.

• Recommended varieties when planting at elevations between 300 and 1500 feet:
  • Wichita, and Western Schley.

Pistachios, Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center, UC Davis

Plant below 1,500 foot elevation. Pistachios are drought tolerant trees.

• Recommended varieties: 
  • Kernan, and Peters (for pollinizer only).

Walnuts, Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center, UC Davis

• Recommended varieties when planting at elevations between 300 and 1500 feet:
  • Adams, Cooke’s Giant Sweet, Idaho, Mayette, California Black Walnut, Hartley, Tehama, Chandler, and Franquette.
• Recommended varieties when planting at elevations between 1500 and 3000 feet, only on ridges on warmer sites:
  • Tehama, Ambassador, Hartley, Chandler, Howard, and Franquette.
• Alternate-Year Walnut Pruning Can Boost Yields - Cut Costs, California Agriculture, Vol. 48, No. 4
• Cover Crops for Walnut Orchards, This handy publication discusses the benefits of cover cropping as well as the challenges of cover cropping that are unique to walnut orchards. UC ANR Publication 21627e

Pest Management

• University of California Integrated Pest Management guidelines for monitoring pests in Almonds, Pecans, Pistachios, and Walnuts.
• UC ANR Book Publications: IPM in Walnuts (3rd ed), IPM in Almonds (2nd ed)