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Nut trees

The best varieties of nut trees to plant in Wellington are almond and hazelnut.

Nut trees like free draining, deep, fertile ground with lots of sun and shelter from the wind.

You should prune nut trees when their young for shape, and when they're mature just to remove bead branches.

An almond nut emerging from the shell.

Almond trees

Almonds trees need warmth and plenty of room to develop.

  • Size
    Mature trees can grow up to 5m high and 3m wide.
  • Tolerance to frost
    Sensitive.
  • Pollination
    Most varieties of almond are self-fertile, but will benefit from a 'buddy' of a different almond variety planted nearby.

Almond varieties

Variety name Pollination notes Spacing between trees 
Almond All-in-One Self fertile, but benefits from a buddy

5m x 5m
Almond IXL Almond Monavale buddy needed for pollination

6m x 6m
Almond Monavale Self fertile, but benefits from a buddy

6m x 6m

Hazelnut trees

Hazelnut trees will grow in most places and are not particularly demanding in terms of fertility.

  • Size
    Mature trees can grow up to 4m high and 3m wide. 
  • Pollination
    Need to be planted with another hazelnut 'buddy' for proper pollination.

Hazelnut varieties

Variety name Pollination notes Spacing between trees
Hazel Butler Hazelnut buddy of any variety needed

5m x 5m
Hazel Ennis Hazelnut buddy of any variety needed

5m x 5m