How to Grow Butte Almond
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Butte Almond
Prunus dulcis 'Butte'
treeButte is a mid-season almond cultivar known for its large kernel size, excellent flavor, and reliable production. It is a vigorous, upright tree widely grown commercially and in home orchards across California's almond belt. The variety produces sweet almonds suitable for fresh consumption and processing.
When should you plant Butte Almond in your zone?
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Example Butte Almond timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Butte Almond
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Butte Almond
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Butte Almond dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-10, particularly the warm, dry climate of California's Central Valley
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Get my Butte Almond timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung trees develop root systems and establish framework structure; minimal flowering in first 1-2 years
Water regularly, protect from wind, prune lightly to establish strong central leader, stake if necessary
Vegetative Growth
2-3 yearsTree grows vigorously, developing lateral branches and canopy; shoots are green and leafy
Continue regular irrigation, apply balanced fertilizer in spring, thin competing branches to open canopy for light penetration
Flowering
2-3 weeks in early springPink and white flowers appear in early spring (February-March in California) before leaves fully emerge; flowers clustered on spurs
Avoid frost damage to flowers; ensure adequate chill hours (300-400 hours below 45°F) are met for proper flowering; thin flowers if excessive for tree strength
Fruit Development
4-5 months (April-August)Small green fruit forms following pollination; hull expands, kernels develop and fill within hard shell
Maintain consistent irrigation, avoid water stress, thin fruit if overcrowded (spaced 4-6 inches apart on branch), monitor for pests and disease
Harvest
August-September; typically 1-2 week windowHulls split and nuts fall from tree; nuts are ready when hulls separate easily from shell
Use mechanical tree shakers or allow natural drop; collect nuts promptly, dry to 5-6% moisture content, clean and shell as desired
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor with pheromone traps, remove mummified fruit and hulls, apply spinosad or pyrethrin sprays, use kaolin clay to deter; practice good sanitation
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Prune out infested twigs, apply dormant oil spray in winter, thin canopy for better air circulation, maintain tree vigor
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Remove affected branches, maintain tree health and proper irrigation, use sticky traps, avoid wounding trees during pruning
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Spray with miticide or neem oil during growing season, monitor leaf undersides, encourage natural predators, avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer
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Use row covers on young trees, apply spinosad if severe, remove ground cover where they overwinter
Uses
Fresh and processed nuts
CulinaryButte almonds are prized for their large size, excellent flavor, and kernel quality, making them ideal for eating fresh, roasting, or blanching. They are widely used in commercial almond butter, snack products, and baking. [source]
Almond milk and beverages
CulinaryHigh kernel quality makes Butte almonds suitable for producing premium almond milk and other plant-based beverages. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalAlmonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, protein, and antioxidants, supporting heart health and overall wellness. Regular almond consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. [source]
Almond oil production
HouseholdCold-pressed almond oil from Butte kernels is used in cooking, cosmetics, and massage therapies for its emollient properties. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeAlmond blossoms provide early-season nectar and pollen for honeybees and native pollinators in late winter and early spring when few other food sources are available. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest begins in late August to early September when hulls naturally split and nuts drop or can be easily shaken from branches. Use mechanical tree shakers for efficient harvesting. Allow nuts to dry on tarps for 1-2 days, then crack and extract kernels. Dry nuts to 5-6% moisture for storage. Butte produces large, high-quality kernels ideal for in-shell consumption or processing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Butte almonds require cross-pollination with another compatible almond variety (such as Padre, Nonpareil, or Sonora) to set fruit; honeybees are essential pollinators, and commercial orchards rely on managed hives.
- 🌱 A single mature Butte almond tree can produce 50-100 pounds of nuts annually, with production peaking between years 7-15 of age.
- 🌱 Almonds require a specific number of chill hours (300-400 hours below 45°F) during winter dormancy to break dormancy and flower properly in spring; this makes them well-suited to California's Mediterranean climate but unsuitable for tropical regions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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