What are tree nuts classified as in terms of specialty crops?

Tree nuts are classified as fruits because they develop from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds. In botanical terms, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flower, and tree nuts fit this definition perfectly. They originate from the fertilization of the ovules within the flower and typically have a hard shell that encases the edible seed.

This categorization is important in specialty crops because it affects cultivation practices, harvest methods, and market classification. For example, understanding that tree nuts are fruits helps growers realize their nutritional value, marketing potential, and appropriate cultivation conditions that align more closely with fruit rather than vegetables or grains. Grains, while also seeds, belong to a different classification related to grasses rather than hardwoods or shrubs, making them distinct from tree nuts. Ornamental plants, on the other hand, are primarily cultivated for aesthetics rather than for human consumption, further distinguishing tree nuts from other categories.

Thus, recognizing tree nuts as fruits helps in understanding their growth needs, handling, and inclusion in agricultural practices targeted towards specialty crop production.