Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: Nut Production

  • September Orchard Tasks – Pistachios

    Pistachio harvest ended earlier than usual this year, but growers should not stop irrigating their orchards just yet. The early finish creates a longer post-harvest period before trees enter dormancy, making proper irrigation especially important.

    Research by Daniele Zaccaria, Mae Culumber and Anderson Safre of the University of California Cooperative Extension indicates that pistachio trees continue using water after the nuts have been removed. Although harvest is complete, evapotranspiration—the loss of water from the soil and through the trees’ leaves—continues until the trees become dormant.

    Because the post-harvest season will be longer this year, growers should continue monitoring their orchards’ water needs. Stopping irrigation too soon could place unnecessary stress on trees as they prepare for next season.

    However, the researchers suggest growers may be able to conserve water through carefully timed deficit irrigation. This practice involves applying less water than the orchard would normally use during selected periods. When managed properly, deficit irrigation may reduce water use by about 20% with little to no effect on the following year’s harvest.

    The key is timing. Growers should consider orchard conditions, soil moisture and the trees’ water needs before reducing irrigation. An early harvest does not mean water use has ended, and post-harvest management can play an important role in supporting the next crop.

    Read more about the research in the September issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • September Orchard Tasks – Almonds

    Although almond harvest may be wrapping up, the work needed to prepare orchards for next season has already begun. Post-harvest priorities include monitoring for disease, irrigating trees, pruning and managing pests.

    Brent Holtz with the University of California Cooperative Extension advises growers to watch for red leaf blotch and rust. Bright orange spots on leaves may indicate red leaf blotch, while orange and black spores can be signs of rust. This year’s warm March appears to have increased the severity of rust, making it important to avoid irrigation practices that keep orchards humid for extended periods.

    However, growers should not stop irrigating altogether. Water should be applied as soon as the harvested nuts are removed from the orchard floor. Dr. David Goldhamer, emeritus irrigation specialist with UC Davis, says almond trees can use up to 11 acre-inches of water after harvest if their leaves remain active. Proper post-harvest irrigation can also help move salt below the trees’ root zone.

    Growers can also begin pruning mature orchards immediately after harvest instead of waiting until dormancy. Pruning early gives wounds time to heal before rainfall, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. While studies indicate pruning does not significantly improve almond yields, it remains necessary to provide enough space for orchard equipment to pass between trees.

    Fall is also a good time to manage gophers, ground squirrels and mice. Baiting or fumigation can help control ground squirrels before they enter hibernation. Growers should also look for pieces of almond shells left in tree crotches, which may indicate mouse activity.

    For more information about post-harvest almond orchard management, read the full article in the September issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Hazelnut Growers Achieve First-Ever 100,000+ Ton Crop

    For the first time in the 100-plus year history of the United States commercial hazelnut industry, farmers harvested more than 100,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2025. Preliminary totals estimate the yield to be more than 121,000 tons—a massive increase from the 96,000 tons harvested in 2024. Final harvest numbers are expected later this spring. Prior to 2020, the peak U.S. hazelnut harvest was 51,000 tons in 2018.

    Much of the sharp rise in production is due to the orchard planting boom of the 2010s. From 2010-2019, hazelnut acreage in Oregon climbed from approximately 29,000 acres to approximately 81,000 acres. This acreage has since stabilized at around 96,800 acres. New, better-yielding hazelnut cultivars, advancements in farming technology and growing global demand for hazelnuts all contributed to an influx in new plantings throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Escalating production soon followed the expansion in acres. Oregon is home to 99% of U.S. hazelnut orchards, with farms in Washington contributing to make the Pacific Northwest the epicenter of country’s hazelnut production.

    Hazelnut trees typically take four to five years to produce enough kernels to harvest; they continue to
    produce more nuts as they mature to 10-12 years old. At full maturity, it is now common for an acre of hazelnut trees to produce 3,000 pounds or more of hazelnuts. With thousands of acres of trees planted in the 2010s now reaching this stage, production is anticipated to rise precipitously over the next several
    years.

    About the Hazelnut Marketing Board

    Nestled between the grandeur of the Cascade Mountains and the scenic Pacific Ocean lies the Willamette Valley — one of the world’s premiere agricultural regions. Over 99% of American hazelnuts are grown in this fertile valley. The rare combination of volcanic soils, moderate temperature and ample precipitation makes this the optimal region for hazelnut orchards. These thriving groves yield hazelnuts renowned globally for their unparalleled size, consistent quality and distinct flavor. U.S. hazelnuts boast a robust, buttery smooth flavor and are the ideal accent for exquisite entrees or delicious desserts. They are also great by themselves as a healthy and flavorful snack. U.S. hazelnuts come in many forms–including kernels, meal, flour, sliced, diced, paste and oil–making them easy to eat and use.