Small Nut Trees for the Home Garden

Most nut trees are too large for home gardens, but several smaller species fit beautifully. Celebrate Earth Day by planting edible nuts!

Hazelnut development stages and 'Baklava' shrub.

Filberts (Hazelnuts)

• European filbert (Corylus avellana): ~15 ft, cool moist climates, susceptible to winterkill. 'Purpurea' (purple-leaf) Zones 6–10.
• American hazelnut (C. americana): Small hedge bush, native to eastern US, 8+ ft, Zones 5–8. Nuts ripen August. Two plants needed for pollination. Often left for wildlife. Avoid planting near wild eastern filberts (carry Eastern filbert blight).

Almonds and cashew apples with nuts.

Almonds

• True almond (Prunus dulcis): Stone fruit like peach. Zones 8a–10b. Commercial in CA valleys. Cross-pollination needed (honeybee hives rented).
• 'Reliable' (peach-almond hybrid): ~12 ft, self-fertile, Zones 5–9.
• Ornamental almond (P. amygdalus): 12–20 ft, bears in 3–4 years, disease-resistant, self-fertile. 'Titan', 'Halls Hardy'.

Cashews & Pistachios

• Cashew (Anacardium occidentale): Fast-growing tropical evergreen, 30+ ft, frost-sensitive. "Apple" and nut edible; 5× vitamin C of oranges.
• Pistachio (Pistacia vera): 20–30 ft, Zones 7a–10b. Needs irrigation, good drainage; hates humidity. Male + female required.

Pistachios and pinyon pine cones with nuts.

Pine Nuts

Over 20 pines produce edible nuts; 5 commercially important: Siberian (P. sibirica), Korean (P. koraiensis), Italian Stone (P. pinea), Chilgoza (P. gerardiana), pinyons (P. monophylla, P. edulis). Korean Nut Pine: hardy, clay-tolerant, blister rust resistant, Zones 4–7. Italian Stone Pine: classic umbrella shape, drought/heat tolerant, Zones 7–9. Many make great ornamentals.

Chinquapins

• Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila): Shrub/small tree 12–15 ft, Zones 3–9. Nut similar to extinct American chestnut, more flavorful. Prefers neutral, well-drained soil, develops taproot. Needs male pollinator.
• Georgiana chinquapin (C. alnifolia): Creeping 4-ft shrub, Zones 8–10. Shady sandy thickets, spreads by shallow roots.

Allegheny chinquapin shrub.

Other Notable Nut Trees

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): 50–80 ft, Zones 3–9 (best 4–7). Oldest broadleaf tree (150 Myr fossils). Male + female needed; 10 years to fruit. Nuts prized in Asian cuisine. Pest/disease free.
• Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana): Sculptural evergreen, native to Chile, hardy to -10°F (Zones 6–9). Not self-fertile. 2-inch nuts on large cones (250+ per cone). Roast like chestnuts or grind for flour.

Ginkgo nuts and leaves; Monkey Puzzle nuts.

Nutritional Value

Protein 20–75% (butternuts highest). High polyunsaturated fats, Vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium. Almonds: calcium source. Low glycemic.

Sources: University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.
Photo credits: iStockPhoto (various); Equilibrium, AYankeeCat, Gustichock (PlantFiles).