Dry Fruit & Nut Bearing Trees
Dry fruit trees, such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans, provide nutrient-rich harvests that can be enjoyed fresh, roasted, or stored for long-term use. These trees add beauty to the landscape while producing healthy, protein-packed snacks. With proper care, dry fruit trees can thrive in Florida gardens and offer abundant yields season after season.
Cashew Tree
Cashew Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. The cashew tree produces both cashew nuts and a juicy, edible fruit called a cashew apple. Best grown in warm, frost-free climates with good drainage.
- Harvest Season: March–June
- Tree Size: Small to medium, ~12–25 ft
- Uses: Nuts (roasted) for snacking and baking; cashew apples for fresh eating, juicing, and preserves
- Pollination: Self-fertile; nearby trees can improve yields
- Chill Hours: None (tropical/subtropical)
Chestnut Tree
Chestnut Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Chestnut trees yield large, sweet nuts in spiny burrs and require a pollination partner for best yields. Hardy and long-lived with beautiful shade foliage.
- Harvest Season: September–October
- Tree Size: Large, ~30–50 ft
- Uses: Roasting, boiling, baking (stuffings, desserts), milling into flour
- Pollination: Requires a compatible variety for cross-pollination
- Chill Hours: ~400–800 (variety dependent)
Dwarf Almond Tree
Dwarf Almond Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Dwarf almond trees offer ornamental spring blooms and edible nuts in a compact size. Ideal for backyard growing in mild climates with low humidity.
- Harvest Season: June–July
- Tree Size: Small, ~8–12 ft
- Uses: Snacking, baking, confectionery (marzipan), nut butters
- Pollination: Most need a compatible partner; choose self-fertile cultivars if planting one
- Chill Hours: ~300–500 (cultivar dependent)
Macadamia Tree
Macadamia Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Macadamia trees produce rich, buttery nuts with a crunchy texture. They thrive in subtropical areas with well-drained soil and protection from frost.
- Harvest Season: September–February
- Tree Size: Medium, ~15–30 ft
- Uses: Roasting, baking, confectionery, nut oils
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile; cross-pollination boosts yield
- Chill Hours: None (subtropical)
Pecan Tree
Pecan Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Pecans are long-lived trees that yield abundant, flavorful nuts in fall. They prefer deep soil and need cross-pollination for heavy crops.
- Harvest Season: October–December
- Tree Size: Large, ~40–70 ft
- Uses: Pies, pralines, candies, roasting, nut butters
- Pollination: Needs cross-pollination (pair Type I & Type II cultivars)
- Chill Hours: ~200–400 (variety dependent)
Walnut Tree
Walnut Tree is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Walnut trees produce high-quality nuts and make excellent shade trees. Best suited to cooler climates with well-drained soil and space to grow.
- Harvest Season: September–October
- Tree Size: Large, ~40–60 ft
- Uses: Snacking, baking, salads, sauces; valuable timber (some species)
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile; better yields with a second variety
- Chill Hours: ~400–700 (variety dependent)