How to Manage Pests

Pruning and thinning almond trees

Pruning is best done during the dormant season to invigorate the tree. This is the best time to prune out diseased wood, crossing limbs, or narrow crotch angles. Pruning during the summer can control vigorous shoot growth.

Almonds are pruned during early development and maturation to ensure strong branches that are able to support the heavy crop. Growers should try to maintain as much fruit wood as possible by limiting pruning to taking out dead and diseased wood, water sprouts, and crossing branching.

Almonds usually have more flowers than they can successfully carry. They normally will drop many of the flowers and small fruit early in the season. Thinning fruit by hand is not required because the size of the fruit is not important.