What to do with Black Walnuts?
harriet05
17 years ago
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CA Kate z9
17 years agoHeathen1
17 years agoRelated Discussions
help! hybrid black walnut/english walnut tree seedling black tips
Comments (1)Three more common reasons that leaves scorch on the tips are: late freeze, fertilizer burn, too much water. It could be fertilizer burn, but if you have been watering frequently, especially if your soil is heavy, that could do it, too....See MoreBlack walnuts still sitting there...
Comments (2)No, I didn't know that. The hulls were crumbly and full of ants when I picked up the nuts. That's why I never tried removing the hulls or cracking the nuts. Thanks so much for the link! None of the info I found was so detailed. After reading that, I think husk fly maggots had compromised the hulls, allowing access for the ants. Sounds like this batch has 2 serious strikes against it. Out they go!...See MoreBlack Walnut immune roses?
Comments (12)Since I am surrounded by BW trees (about 9), I have made a career of exploring the various levels of tolerance. First, let me say that I don't believe these trees belong in the home landscape-they are messy (lose leaves and branches year around) are the first to drop leaves in late summer early fall and the last to leaf out in the spring (an advantage to deciduous plants who like winter sun-like roses). The walnuts are a health hazard once they start dropping because they are extremely oily and slippery (they hurt if they hit your head,too. If you are looking to harvest the nuts, be sure you have the right equipment to crack the nuts. The shells are super hard and a hammer will not do the job. In addition to the leaves and nuts, be sure you clean up the buds. These are extremely toxic. About 5 years ago, I planted own root and grafted roses beneath BW trees. The level of toxins must have been very high because I have since moved or lost most of the roses. Like you, I started with multiflora hybrids or multiflora decendants, a lot of HMs, Veilchenblau, Russelliana, and Rugosas. Forget the chinas or any with heavy china parentage. Veilchenblau and Lavendar Lassie remain within the root zone (the most toxic part) and both are shadows of their former selves. A cutting of Veil. was rooted by my friend about 3 years ago and it thrives in her garden. In mine it will be shovel prunned next spring along with LL (about 6 " tall, down from about 4 feet). With all this nay saying, you will be surprised to hear me say "go for it". Every garden is different and soils differ, care differs, climate differs. You never know. Plus Ann has had great success with her roses. She also has fewer BW trees. I have discovered that the further the roses are from the tree the healthier they are. (DUH!) Those that are closest to the tree suffer, some slowly. It may take years for a full decline. Also, multiflora grafts work better than multiflora hybrids, own root. Russilliana (own root)was planted in my test plot and started a very slow decline. I moved her last spring, cut her back as little as possible and she bloomed surprisingly well and has nearly doubled her height in one season. This was a rose that had started off gang busters 5 years ago and slowly declined every year. Also, at planting and every year thereafter, add copius amounts of organic matter to your site. The organic matter helps break down the toxins. I have attached an article that somewhat compiles various studies and gives some interesting information. Tolerance BTW is relative. Good luck! Barbara aka Hawkeye Belle Here is a link that might be useful: Black Walnut Toxicity Explored...See MoreWalnut / Black Walnut Trees
Comments (63)Maureen, I would recommend contacting your extension agent or local forester for more information on who you might contact for potential removal/purchasing. Trees grown in yard or farmstead settings - unless carefully managed - will likely not attract a great deal of attention from timber buyers due to potential for old nails, wire, etc that may exist under in the tree. I'm in west central WI and had 4 20"+ Black Walnuts we needed to remove last year and we couldn't give away the trees (the trees were farmstead trees/woodland bordering trees). A local timber buyer had zero interest - even in just giving them away - nor did anyone want them for wood burning. We did end up giving some chunks of the logs away to friends though who wanted some for woodworking. While I like Black Walnuts in general, I do not like them in a yard setting as a selection of other plants are not tolerant of the junglone (basically a natural herbicide of the BW) produced from the seeds, roots, and leaves. Good luck!...See Moreshammierock
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