The value of the nation's tree nut crop continues to climb, and managing that crop becomes more complicated each day. Keeping up with new practices can be a challenge but a new white paper from Farm Progress and the editors of Western Farm Press can help.

"Tree nut best management practices" is a multipage free digital white paper available online and viewable on both desktop and mobile platforms. The report offers an in-depth look at a range of issues for the tree nut industry including almonds, pistachios and more. Here's a look at key sections from the guide.

Pruning trees presents potential perils

In this section, readers get tips and insights on proper timing for pruning. Sharp tools and a trained eye are required to maximize pruning work without causing other damage or introducing tree diseases.

Fungal canker is a risk almond growers face if pruning is done improperly. Those cankers can block hydration and nutrient transport to the tree. This section offers a look at the challenge canker presents for any orchard and ways to avoid trouble.

Recycling almond waste

Almond trees produce a fair share of waste but the practice of bisolarization may provide a solution. In this section readers will find research information done at the University of California, Davis, showing that the practice can not only get rid of almond waste but can disinfest orchards.

Free white paper: "Tree nut best management practices"

The practice has been shown to control parasitic nematodes including long term control of rood lesion and root knot nematodes. The practice has also show it can enrich soil organic matter benefiting soil water holding capacity. The guide also offers insight into what almond types are better for this recycling practice.

Farmer describes thought process to replant almonds

This in-field report looks at the decision to replant almonds. It's more than selecting new trees and booking a removal company. A California grower offers his insights on planning for a replanting, including determining issues in the previous 25 years to avoid for the future.

From orienting rows to selecting varieties this report shares the farmer's approach and what drove specific choices for the replant and how it was to be done. The white paper also shares insights on how rootstock selection can be governed by external factors.

Planning for stress in almond trees

Water management has become critical to the life, health, and future of every almond orchard in California. In this segment, there's a look at research into stress on almond trees. One area getting greater attention is post-harvest irrigation for orchards.

The report shows that post-harvest irrigation for almonds can be the key to future productivity. Stressing trees in the August to September timeframe has implications for the next crop. In drought conditions, it's more a matter of having enough control over when you apply and how much is used to regulate stress.

It's time for important irrigation maintenance

If it's broken, time for a fix. The key to managing irrigation in a tree nut crop is to make sure everything is working before post-harvest winter sets in. With water issues paramount for growers, maximizing what you do get matters and a well-maintained system makes that possible.

Free white paper: "Tree nut best management practices"

This white paper shares insight from the Almond Board of California which has developed a new guide to help growers maximize this key resource. The ABC guide offers plenty of information for making the most of any irrigation system, including what to check first in any tree nut orchard.

Tips on postharvest nut crop nutrition

Trees need nutrition to develop the following year crop, but just what should be on the nutrition menu? Potassium is a key nutrient whether you're talking pistachios, almonds or walnuts. Readers will find key insights on crop nutrition in this look at what trees need to prepare for a high yield season.

Whether you are side-dressing or using fertigation, building a proper nutrition plan will be important. Potassium is a key nutrient, along with nitrogen (especially for almonds). A third nutrient often overlooked is boron. However, application timing is different for almonds, walnuts and pistachios.

This report shares how each tree type uses key nutrients, which helps with fertilizer planning.

Weed management is important even in the off season

The fight for water and key nutrients is not just happening in the crop year. In tree nuts, weeds are at work stealing key resources just as trees need them. Weed pressure can rise in the fall after harvest, especially in years where fall rains arrive. Knowing the weeds you're dealing with matter in developing an effective control program.

And while spring and summer bring weed-filled days, that postharvest review of emerging weeds can help keep your program on track for the following year. This section also covers some key timing issues for best weed control in tree nut orchards.

Spring orchard 'burndown' part of weed control

That spring orchard burndown to clean up and control weeds ahead of the season allows for a fresh start, but the work requires knowing that weed population for best results. This report looks at the burndown tankmix offering some tips for the best approach.

Timing is also an issue. Hit the orchard too early and you may miss later emerging weeds. If you have a solid postharvest program, burndown timing could change, moving later in the season. And climate change with milder winters could change that burndown timing too. This report explores all those factors including the challenge of weed resistance.

Nut growers preoccupied with pests, diseases

This section gathers information from three University of California specialists to discuss key issues facing tree nut producers. Of course the No. 1 pest is Naval orange worm hitting both almond and walnut crops.

Free white paper: "Tree nut best management practices"

Here you get insight on the best tactics for NOW control and a look at other issues impacting tree nuts including fungal diseases. And of course they discuss ant populations that can hit harvested nuts as they lay on the ground drying. This is solid in-season insight readers can use on the farm.

Manage almond mummies in your orchard

The name brings a chuckle to those not in the know about mummy nuts. The description is accurate, these are a "body dried and preserved by nature" and growers know there is value to The Mummy Shake as part of a postharvest protocol. Those leftover mummy nuts act more like a hotel with room service for pests creating winter homes for some significant yield robbers.

This section of the white paper offers insight from the University of California, Davis on managing mummy nuts, including key IPM tactics. Mummy nuts are not easy to get off trees, but a program for managing these "pest hotels" can help build yields.

Free white paper: "Tree nut best management practices"