Standard size cherry trees with high stems are a major element of traditional agroforestry systems in northern Switzerland. Nowadays the cultivation of standard fruit trees with cherries is under pressure in this area. High harvest and crop management costs combined with declining income make the cultivation of high stem trees in combination with grazed grasslands unattractive. In addition, there are high consumer quality requirements, pest pressure from Drosophila suzukii and volatile yields. Moreover, fulltime farmers consider trees that are not regularly pruned as a source for pests and diseases. They argue that these trees should be removed. However, these orchards offer – on top of food and fodder production - many environmental benefits, e.g. foraging resource for insects, habitats for flora and fauna and touristic elements. Biodiversity and humans benefit directly from them. Ideas for profitable alternatives to traditional cherry orchards, from which both humans and especially fruit growers as well as nature can benefit, are in demand. Corresponding efforts have already been made, exploring options for alternative tree species that would allow to maintain the traditional agroforestry landscape scenery. One option that has not yet been examined could be the change of tree species towards almond trees. The almond tree is mainly known in Mediterranean regions, but has also been cultivated in Germany (Pfalz) for over 800 years. The blossom resembles the cherry blossom and the flowering period is between March and April. The goal of the project is to answer the question: Does almonds (Prunus dulcis) offer an alternative to (standard tree) cherries within traditional agroforestry systems and contribute to the product and risk diversification of fruit producers? Would it be possible to grow almonds in northern Switzerland, also accounting for climate change and opportunities for breeding adapted varieties? We did a literature review and stakeholder interviews in Switzerland and the surrounding countries. In total, we contacted over 70 experts and organizations such as farmers, tree nurseries, breeders, researchers, agroforestry experts, administrators, extension officers, associations or potential buyers. Our results show that innovative Swiss farmers have been experimenting for several years and have successfully cultivated individual almond trees. We found over 220 almond trees on 14 Swiss farms. Varieties such as ‘Ferraduel’, ‘Tuono’, ‘Keilmandel’ or ‘Papierski’ were mentioned to be suitable for Switzerland. Late frost during the almond flowering that was stated as problem in literature was not an issue. Apart from that, several Swiss growers mentioned problems with Monilia disease and pointed out that trees grown on well-drained soils could prevent fungal diseases. Cultivars less susceptible to Monilia are e.g. ‘Ferraduel’. Other problems were gummosis, leaf curl or European stone fruit yellows (ESFY). The integration of almonds trees in an agroforestry systems and especially the combination with pastureland for grazing was not tested yet in Switzerland. Depending on the variety, almond fruits can serve several markets such as direct consumption, chocolate production or almond milk. The Swiss market might be a challenge because almonds are not protected by custom duties in Switzerland, in contrast to other fruits as cherries or apples. Nevertheless, we found buyers, which are interested in Swiss almonds. Regarding the processing of almond fruits in line with market standard, crack and peeling machines already exist for walnuts and hazelnuts and could partly be used for almonds. Our investigations show that almond cultivation has started to develop through farmer initiatives and experimentation. They now need support from research with respect to the selection (or even breeding) of adapted varieties, the evaluation of appropriate locations (soil, topography, micro-climate) and tree management. In the future, almond trees could gradually complement or even replace traditional cherry tree orchards and help to maintain the ecosystem services they provide and the familiar agroforestry landscape scenery.
