Growing nut trees in your yard is a rewarding investment, providing shade, beauty, and a nutritious harvest for years to come. These trees not only enhance your landscape but also offer a sustainable food source with minimal maintenance.
Whether you have a large backyard or a small garden, there’s a nut tree suited to your space and climate. Let’s explore 28 of the best nut trees to grow, each with unique benefits and growing requirements to help you create a thriving, productive landscape.
1. Hazelnut (Corylus Avellana)
Picture a tree that conjures images of cozy autumn evenings. The hazelnut, with its smooth, round nuts, is perfect for small gardens.
They thrive in well-drained soils and enjoy the company of other hazelnut trees for better pollination. Regular pruning keeps them healthy and productive.
2. Almond (Prunus Dulcis)
Imagine enjoying a nut that’s not just tasty but also comes with a beautiful blossom show in spring. Almond trees are a delight with their pink flowers and crunchy nuts.
These sun-lovers prefer warm climates and require well-drained soil to flourish. Prune regularly to encourage a good crop.
3. Chestnut (Castanea Spp.)
Envision a tree that brings a touch of European charm to your yard. Chestnuts, with their distinctive spiky burrs, are both majestic and productive.
They prefer sandy, acidic soils and need a roomy space to spread their branches. Patience is key, as they take several years to bear nuts.
4. Pecan (Carya Illinoinensis)
Think of a tree that embodies Southern hospitality in its branches. Pecans are known for their buttery nuts and grand stature.
Pecan trees flourish in the heat and enjoy deep, fertile soils. Regular watering and fertilization keep them yielding bountiful harvests.
5. English Walnut (Juglans Regia)
Picture a tree that adds a touch of elegance to your yard. English walnuts are favored for their mild, creamy nuts.
These trees flourish in areas with mild winters and prefer loamy, well-drained soils. Regular care ensures a healthy and productive tree.
6. Heartnut (Juglans Ailantifolia Var. Cordiformis)
Imagine a nut that’s as heartwarming as its name suggests. Heartnut trees are cherished for their unique, heart-shaped nuts.
They thrive in well-drained soils and enjoy a sunny spot. With proper care, these trees can be a charming addition to any garden.
7. Butternut (Juglans Cinerea)
Envision a tree that whispers tales of yore with its elongated nuts. Butternuts, also known as white walnuts, have a sweet, buttery flavor.
Trees like these prefer moist, well-drained soils and a sunny location. Regular pruning and monitoring for pests keep them thriving.
8. Carpathian Walnut (Juglans Regia ‘Carpathian’)
Picture a tree that’s resilient and robust, perfect for cooler climates. Carpathian walnuts are known for their hardiness and sweet-flavored nuts.
They enjoy well-drained soils and full sun exposure. These trees are a reliable choice for northern gardens.
9. Chinese Chestnut (Castanea Mollissima)
Imagine a tree that’s as exotic as it is productive. Chinese chestnuts are valued for their sweet, meaty nuts and ornamental appeal.
With well-drained, sandy soils and full sun, these chestnuts will reach their mature size in no time. With time, they become a beautiful addition to the landscape.
10. Filbert (Corylus Maxima)
Visualize a nut that’s synonymous with chocolatey treats. Filberts, or hazelnuts, are a gardener’s delight with their compact size and tasty nuts.
They prefer well-drained soils and need cross-pollination for a good nut set. Regular pruning keeps them in top form.
11. American Hazelnut (Corylus Americana)
Think of a native tree that fits seamlessly into any landscape. American hazelnuts are prized for their adaptability and tasty nuts.
Give them rich, well-drained growing medium and a mix of sunlight and shade and they will flourish. With minimal care, they can thrive and produce abundant nuts.
12. Pinyon Pine (Pinus Edulis)
Imagine a tree that’s a natural survivor in arid landscapes. Pinyon pines are known for their edible seeds, often called pine nuts.
Grow them in dry, rocky soils and provide them with full sun to flourish. With little water needs, they’re ideal for xeriscaping.
13. Shagbark Hickory (Carya Ovata)
Picture a tree that stands out with its rugged, peeling bark. Believe it or not, shagbark hickories are edible and hide hard-shelled, sweet nuts in their crowns.
They prefer well-drained, rich soils and a sunny to partially shaded spot. These trees are a valuable addition to any forested garden.
14. Shellbark Hickory (Carya Laciniosa)
Think of a tree that’s a giant among hickories, producing the largest nuts. Shellbark hickories enjoy moist, well-drained soils and a sunny location.
These hickories are known for their delicious nuts and strong wood. With some patience, they can become a majestic presence in the yard.
15. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum)
These trees produce inedible, toxic nuts that are dangerous to humans and animals. They are large, messy trees that drop a lot of leaves, flowers, and spiky seed pods.
Horse chestnut trees require ample space and can become invasive in some areas. While beautiful, they are better suited for parks than home gardens.
16. Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria Araucana)
This exotic tree is slow-growing and takes decades to produce edible nuts. It has sharp, spiky leaves that make it difficult to maintain and unpleasant to handle.
The large cones are heavy and can pose a hazard when they fall. It requires a specific climate and well-draining soil, limiting its adaptability.
17. Coconut Palm (Cocos Nucifera)
This specific palm tree needs a tropical or subtropical climate to thrive, making it unsuitable for most home gardens. Coconut palm requires sandy, well-draining growing mix and frequent maintenance to remove dead fronds and large coconuts.
The heavy coconuts can fall unexpectedly, creating a safety hazard. Additionally, they are highly susceptible to diseases such as lethal yellowing.
18. Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)
Visualize a tree that holds the secret to decadent treats. Yet, macadamia trees take years to mature and begin producing nuts, making them a long-term investment.
They are highly susceptible to pests, especially macadamia nut borers. Harvesting is difficult because the nuts have hard shells and require processing. These trees also need a warm climate and well-drained soil, limiting their growing regions.
19. Brazil Nut (Bertholletia Excelsa)
Picture a giant of the rainforest with its towering presence. Brazil nut trees are massive, reaching over 150 feet in their natural habitat, making them impractical for most yards. They require a rainforest environment with specific pollinators, such as orchid bees, to produce nuts.
The large, hard pods can be dangerous when they fall from great heights. Additionally, they need consistently warm temperatures and high humidity, which are difficult to maintain in most regions.
20. Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale)
These trees require a warm, tropical climate and well-draining soil to thrive. The nuts contain toxic oils that must be carefully removed before consumption, making harvesting labor-intensive.
Cashew trees are also highly susceptible to fungal diseases and pests. Their spreading growth habit requires ample space, making them impractical for small yards.
21. Water Chestnut (Trapa Natans)
Unlike traditional nut trees, thee chestnuts grow in water and can quickly become invasive. They produce dense mats that block sunlight and oxygen, harming aquatic life.
In some regions, they are considered an aggressive, noxious weed. Managing their growth requires constant monitoring and control efforts.
22. Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra)
These walnut trees release juglone, which is toxic to many common garden plants, making companion planting difficult. They produce large nuts with extremely hard shells that are challenging to process.
The trees are messy, shedding leaves, twigs, and nuts throughout the year. While valuable for timber, they are often more trouble than they’re worth for home gardeners.
23. Bunya Pine (Araucaria Bidwillii)
Pines like these produce massive cones that can weigh up to 10 pounds, posing a serious safety risk when they fall. The tree itself grows very tall and requires a large space to thrive.
Bunya pine has sharp, rigid leaves that make pruning and maintenance difficult. While the seeds are edible, the tree’s size and hazards make it unsuitable for most home landscapes.
24. Tung Nut Tree (Vernicia Fordii)
These trees produce toxic nuts that are inedible and hazardous to pets and humans. The tung nut tree’s sap is also irritating to the skin and can cause allergic reactions.
It requires warm climates and is highly susceptible to fungal diseases. Because of its toxicity and maintenance challenges, it is not a practical choice for home gardens.
25. European Beech (Fagus Sylvatica)
Beech trees produce small, bitter nuts that are not palatable for humans. European beech trees in particular grow very large and require significant space, making them impractical for small yards.
They shed leaves and nut husks that can create a messy landscape. Additionally, they are slow-growing and offer little benefit compared to other nut trees.
26. Oak (Quercus Spp.)
Acorns are nuts produced by this tree, but they require extensive processing to be edible due to their high tannin content. Oak trees grow very large and shed acorns in abundance, creating a mess in the yard.
They can attract wildlife such as squirrels and deer, which may become a nuisance. Additionally, many oak species grow slowly, making them a long-term commitment.
27. Tanoak (Notholithocarpus Densiflorus)
These trees also produce acorns, but they are not commonly used for nut production due to their bitter taste. The trees are highly susceptible to sudden oak death, a devastating disease.
Tanoaks require large spaces and specific soil conditions to thrive. Overall, they offer little value as a productive nut tree for home gardeners.
28. Wild Almond (Prunus Fasciculata)
I love almonds, but these contain toxic compounds that must be carefully processed before they are safe to eat. The tree is drought-tolerant but slow-growing and not highly productive.
WIld almond tree requires a warm climate and well-draining soil to survive. Because of its low yield and potential toxicity, it is not a recommended nut tree for home landscapes.