Nuts are not only delicious and nutritious, but nut trees can also add beauty and utility to your outdoor space. There is a wide variety of nut-bearing trees suitable for different climates and yard sizes that can provide food, shade, ornamentation, wood, and more. This guide will go over the top nut trees to consider planting in your yard and tips for choosing the right ones for your needs.
Popular Nut Tree Options
Here are some of the most common and easiest to grow nut trees
Almond (Prunus dulcis)
- Almond trees produce the delicious nuts we are familiar with from grocery stores.
- They grow around 20-30 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
- Require full sun and well-drained soil. Best suited to warm, dry climates.
- Trees start bearing nuts after 4-5 years.
- Cross-pollination from a second tree is needed for good yields.
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
- Produces sweet, meaty nuts used for roasting, in stuffing, desserts.
- Grows 50-100 feet tall with wide, spreading canopy.
- Once dominated forests in eastern US before chestnut blight wiped most out. New resistant hybrids being developed.
- Does well in zones 5-8, acidic soil, full sun.
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
- Tree produces round, hard-shelled nuts with bold, earthy flavor.
- Grows 50-75 feet tall with broad crown.
- Tolerates most soils, optimal in deep, fertile, well-drained loam.
- Juglone chemical inhibits growth of some plants around it.
- Zones 5-9, full sun. Begins bearing nuts 6-10 years after planting.
Butternut (Juglans cinerea)
- Produces oblong nuts with sweet, buttery flavor.
- Grows 50-80 feet tall. More cold hardy than other walnuts.
- Prefers moist, fertile soil. Also releases juglone.
- Zones 3-7. Slow grower, takes 10+ years to bear fruit.
Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima)
- Produces abundant sweet nuts perfect for roasting.
- 40-60 feet tall and wide. Resistant to chestnut blight.
- Tolerates various soil types. Full sun to partial shade.
- Begins bearing nuts just 3-5 years after planting.
- Hardy in zones 5-9.
English Walnut (Juglans regia)
- The classic walnut tree. Produces buttery nuts with easy-to-remove shells.
- Massive tree growing up to 100 feet tall and wide.
- Does best in zones 5-9. Needs well-drained, fertile soil, full sun.
- Begins bearing 8-10 years after planting. Needs two trees for pollination.
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
- Produces rounded nuts with sweet, rich flavor. Common in commercial production.
- Usually grown as multi-stemmed shrub reaching 10-15 feet tall and wide.
- Tolerates partial shade. Grows in zones 4-8.
- Begins bearing nuts 2-3 years after planting.
Hickory (Carya spp.)
- Group of trees including shagbark, shellbark, and others that produce sweet, nutritious nuts.
- Grows 50-80 feet tall. Tolerates moist to dry sites, acidic or alkaline soil.
- Extremely tough, durable wood. Valuable for lumber.
- Zones 5-8 for most species. Slow growing, takes decades to bear nuts.
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
- Iconic nut tree of the South. Produces abundant, flavorful nuts.
- Massive tree growing 70-100 feet tall and 40-70 feet wide.
- Prefers deep, fertile soil and full sun.
- Begins bearing nuts 6-10 years after planting. Zones 5-9.
Choosing the Right Nut Tree
When selecting a nut tree for your yard, consider the following factors:
Climate– Most nut trees need full sun and are only hardy in certain climate zones. Select one suited to your region.
Space- Nut trees can grow very large Check the mature height and width to ensure you have room
Soil and drainage– Nut trees usually thrive in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Plant in suitable site.
Pollination– Some nut trees are self-fertile, but yields improve with a second tree for cross-pollination.
Uses– In addition to food, consider screening, shade, ornamental flowers, wildlife habitat.
Time to maturity– Nut trees are slow growing. Expect 5-10+ years before seeing much production.
Flavor and use– Try different types of nuts to find your favorites for snacking and baking.
Caring for Nut Trees
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Water young trees regularly until established. Most are drought tolerant once mature.
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Fertilize in early spring using a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Prune to promote good structure and air circulation. Thin crowded branches.
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Rake up fallen nuts and leaves to prevent pests and fungus. Discard nuts with holes.
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Protect trees from deer, rodents, and other wildlife that may feed on buds and nuts.
Enjoy the Benefits
With proper selection and care, nut trees can provide beauty, shade, protection, wood, and delicious bounty for many years to come. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait, and your patience will be rewarded. A well-established nut tree is the ultimate low-maintenance food producer. Give yourself and future generations the gift of nut trees!
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Nut bearing trees are often overlooked by the backyard orchardist. They shouldn’t be. Of course nut trees take longer to reach maturity than most fruit trees, but once they start producing, nut trees will continue to reward for decades, even centuries. Most make handsome shade trees in addition to providing delicious and healthful nuts. The best time to plant a nut tree in your backyard was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.
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8 Nut Trees That Grow Well In USDA Zone 5
FAQ
What kind of tree has nuts in it?
Nut trees such as Almonds, Hazelnut, Pecan, and Walnut are all touted as heart-friendly! Nuts are an important source of nutrients for both humans and wildlife. Squirrels, turkeys, and many other wildlife species rely on nuts for a major part of their diet. Songbirds adore the shelter and strong limbs to nest in!
What is the only naturally growing nut tree in North America?
The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16th century. The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, the pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American nut species.
What is the difference between a walnut tree and a pecan tree?
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Pecan:Pecan trees are known for their large size, often reaching 70-100 feet tall with a spread of 40-75 feet. They have a uniform, symmetrical crown and are massively branched.
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Walnut:Walnut trees are also large but may not reach the same heights as pecans. They have a more open crown and a straight trunk.
How long does it take for chestnut trees to produce nuts?
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Early Production (3-5 years):Many American chestnut trees, especially those with blight resistance, can begin producing nuts within 3-5 years of planting.
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Maturity (10+ years):After 10 years, a chestnut tree can produce a significant amount of nuts, potentially 10-20 lbs per tree.
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Mature Production (15-20+ years):At full maturity (15-20+ years), a chestnut tree can produce even more nuts, potentially 50-100 lbs per tree.
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Varietal Differences:Some varieties, particularly those common in the UK, may take 20-30 years before they begin producing nuts.
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Pollination:Chestnut trees typically do not self-pollinate, so planting multiple trees near each other is crucial for viable nut production.