USPP3005P - Almond tree - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 24, 1970 J FRITZ Plant Pat. 3,005

ALMOND TREE Filed Feb. 19, 1969 INVENTOR John A. Fritz wade/790W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,005 ALMOND TREE John A. Fritz, J 11691 E. Graves Road, Manteca, Calif. 95336 Filed Feb. 19, 1969, Ser. No. 800,781 Int. Cl. A01h 5/03 US. Cl. Pit-30 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A variety of almond tree of medium size and vigor, medium to upright growth, open with respect to density, and a regular and very heavy producer of small nuts Well distributed on the tree; the nuts being easy to harvest and hull, and having a quite substantial percentage of kernel to shell.

ORIGIN OF THE VA'RIETY The herein claimed variety of almond tree was discovered by me growing as a chance seedling on my ranch located near Manteca, County of San Joaquin, State of California. Subsequent to my discovery of such chance seedling, I maintained it under continuing observation, and which resulted in recognition by me of its novel and distinct characteristics.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY Upon recognizing said chance seedling as a new and distinct variety of almond tree, I asexually reproduced it by grafting onto a mature Ne Plus Ultra tree also growing on my ranch located as aforesaid; such asexual reproductions, when compared to the original tree, having run true to the same in all respects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY The present variety of almond tree is of medium size and vigor, medium to upright in growth, open with respect to density, and a regular and very heavy producer of small nuts which are easy to harvest and hull; the blooming period being approximately with the Nonpareil and the harvest approximately withthe Mission.

The present variety of almond tree is additionally characterized by high production of small nuts having a relatively highand hence commercially desirablepercentage of kernel to shell; the kernels likewise being quite small and thus well suited for use in the confection trade for inclusion in candy and the like.

The present variety of almond tree is also characterized by small nuts having an extremely low percentage of doubles.

The present variety of almond tree is further characterized by its ability to serve as an effective pollenizer for other varieties of almonds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing is a photographic reproduction in color illustrating twigs with clusters of nuts remaining attached; detached nuts both in and out of hull; and kernels out of shell, with one kernel cut to expose the meat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VAIRIETY The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of almond treewith color definitions (except those in common color terms) referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Colorare as follows:

Tree

Density .-Open. Size-Medium. Vigor.-'Medium.

Plant Pat. 3,005

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 Trunk:

Form-stocky. Texture.-Medium. Branches:

Form.Medium.

Texture.-Smooth.

Lenticels.Number: Medium. Size: Medium.

Branching habit.-Medium to upright. Less upright than Mission (Texas).

Foliage:

Quantity.-Medium.

Leaves:

Size.-Medium. Average length (vigorous shoots): 88.4 mm. Average length (spurs): 66.0 mm. Average width (vigorous shoots): 26.7 mm. Average width (spurs): 17.0 mm.

Form.Lanceolate. Acutely pointed.

Thickness-Medium.

Texture.Smooth.

Margin.*Crenate.

Petiole.-Medium length. Medium thickness.

Rib.-Pronounced.

Glands.-Number: 3 to 6, average 4. Alternate. Po-

sitioned mainly on petiole, sometimes on base of blade.

Colon-Top side: Medium green (22-K-7). Under side: Medium green (22-I-7).

Bloom:

Amount of bloom-Heavy. Color.White.

Blooming period-Approximately with Nonpareil. Crop:

Bearing-Regular bearer. Productivity.Very heavy. Distribution of nuts on tree.-Well distributed. Harvest period.-October 1-15 in normal year. Ap-

proximately with Mission. Tenacity-Easy to harvest. Easy to hull. Hull:

Outer surface.Relatively smooth. Pits.-N0ne. Form .Regular. Thickness.Thin, relatively thinner than Ne Plus Ultra. Flesh-Tough. Suture.-Slightly ridged-more so than Nonpareil,

less than Mission. Dehiscence.-Opens freely. Splitting.Along suture. Color.Light green (2l-I-5), with a silvery sheen. Nut:

Size.Small. Average length: 29.5 mm. Average width: 18.6 mm. Average thickness: 14.3 mm. F0rm.Length/w idth: *Ovate. Width/thickness: Plump, less than Mission, more than Nonpareil.

ShelL-Soft. Medium thin. Smooth. Outer shell: Crumbling. Inner shell: Brittle, firm, well sealed.

C0l0r.-Straw 11-1-5).

Pits.Small. Few. Medium shallow, Round.

Base.-Slightly ventrally oblique.

Stem.-Srna1l. Moderately acute.

A pex.-Acute. Acuminate. Blunt. Slightly prolonged at tip.

Wing.Medium breadth. Medium thickness. Tapered toward base.

Inner surface.Mediurn colored.

Ventral streak-Medium dark. Broad. Medium length. Point: Obtuse.

Percentage of kernel to nut-49.9%

Kernel:

Size.Small. Average length: 22.1 mm. Average width: 12.0 mm. Average thickness: .84 mm.

3 Form .Length-Width: Ovate. Width/thickness: Me-

dium. Base.M0derately ventrally oblique. Stem scan-Small. Obtuse.

Apex.Obtuse. Acuminate. Blunt. Slightly prolonged 5 at tip. Plumpness.--Medium smooth. Pellicle.-Medium thickness. Tubescence.Very slight. Slightly veined. C0l0r.-Medium brown (14L10) Number of d0ubles.Few. Defective kernels.--Very few. Flavor.-Very, very slightly bitter. Quality.-Good.

All prior varieties of almond trees named herein are unpatented.

The almond tree and its nuts herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions 4 under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in the Central Valley of California.

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree, substantially as illustrated and described, which is of medium size and vigor, medium to upright in growth, open with respect to density, in bloom approximately with the Nonpareil and a good pollenizer, in harvest approximately with the Mission, and a regular and very heavy producer of small nuts which are easy to harvest and hull, and which nuts have small kernels, a relatively high percentage of kernel to shell, and a low percentage of doubles.

No references cited.

ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner

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