The almond tree is a small and elegant deciduous tree, that grows in mountainous areas, between 700 and 1700 meters altitude. The tree thrives best on rocky soil and on sunny slopes in a Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and mild, wet winters. The tree is on average 4 to 10 meters high. The young twigs are initially green, but become purple- to brownish when exposed to sunlight. In their second year, the branches become greyish. The upper surfaces of young leaves initially have a light, soft hair that disappears later on. The tree blooms exuberantly in the early spring, when the tree is still leafless. The flowers are white to pale pink, have a diameter of 3-5 cm and five petals. The flower contains a large amount of nectar, attracting many insects - especially bees- who provide for the pollination.