What Is the Difference Between an Almond Bush & an Almond Tree?

Edible almond nuts come from an almond tree.

Both edible and ornamental almond species belong to the same genus -- Prunus. Edible almond nuts come from P. dulcis, native to Western Asia. There are several shrubby flowering almond species, but the most popular is Prunus glandulosa, the dwarf flowering almond.

Characteristics

Almond trees and shrubs have similar leaves and pink or white flowers. The most noticeable difference between trees and shrubs is growth habit. Shrubs have multiple stems, trees only one. Other differences may include some or all of the following: species, height, width, ability to bear fruit and hardiness.

Almond Trees

Prunus dulcis, the edible almond, is the same height -- 10 to 15 feet tall -- as some of the shrubby species but is most often grown as a small tree. In addition to being a productive nut tree, P. dulcis is a lovely ornamental with five-petaled white or pink spring flowers. It thrives in USDA Zones 7 to 9.

Shrubby Almonds

The dwarf flowering almond, Prunus glandulosa, has a spreading habit, growing 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, with single or double flowers. It is also the most cold-tolerant almond, hardy through USDA Zone 4. Like some other shrubby species, it rarely produces fruit.

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Kemper Center for Home Gardening: Prunus dulcis
• "Maual of Woody Landscape Plants"; Michael A. Dirr; 1998