Some trees will grow next to walnuts - see link below. I planted a few acres of walnut seedlings in one area of my reforestation project and used the list to determine which trees I could mix with the walnuts. I planted a lot of oaks, redbuds, and red cedars mixed in with the walnuts to add some variety, but several others will do fine next to them as well. Another option would be to remove the walnut tres and replant the spruces. I've read the juglone lasts 2-5 yrs in the roots/soil after the tree is killed so the new trees may get off to a slow start until the juglone totally fades away. john Here is a link that might be useful: Walnut Trees

key word.. NEW YARDS ... this is what happens when a BUILDER .. on a budget.. is making landscape decisions ... ornamental pears .. horrible plants .. even the named varieties ... norway maples.. the ABSOLUTE worst of the maple clan ... horrible ... horrible trees ... the most invasive weed on the face of the earth .. grass.. cant even grow under them ... and though i love picea pungens.. frankly.. they can easily be 20 to 40 feet wide .... and 40 to 80 feet tall ... not really a plant for suburbia... my guess.. regarding the first two .. bargain plants based on reduced demand.. led to a bargain price in bulk ... and pungens are really cheap ... always go with a diverse landscape .... so if some plague comes along.. and wipes out one of something... its not the one you choose .... every plant has an upside and a downside ... the downside of pungens.. is their meanness ... they are not forgiving when you brush against them ... they will cut you man .... ken

thanks for responses-as for my warranty I believe its long gone- pretty good nursery (selection, staff) but their warranty is horrible. but the owner did come down this spring and made good on one-so we'll see. I still believe its touch and go with these spruces. I do take good care of them-and believe I have done everything right so far-but still not sold on if they will all make it. Thanks for providing a direct link Pineresin. Actually the picture of tree2 looks better than it does in real life-maybe i can capture a better one again. It seems lime-green almost yellow-green-while all the others are a very dark green. I also believe the interior foliage could be better-it seems barren in spots-and these don't come back I take it? well at least my skyrockets are really taking off (no pun intended). I think the real test will come next spring- early summer- they will be on their 3rd year and i should be alot clearer how well they will do. Didn't know spruce were so picky to get growing and take- If I had known this I probably would have mixed it up with something else, but I am still a novice to all of this. thetman

The area is so shaded that grass will not grow ==>>> if grass wont grown... NOTHING WILL THRIVE... crickey its the number one invasive.. i will grow in cracks in ashplalt weed.. lol ... if it wont grow.. give up ... then on top of that .... under my mature conifers... i am talking 30 to 40 foot trees.. its a desert ... and i dont think you will ever be able to apply enough water for any hosta.. other than the driveway workhorses ... [new post if you want that list] you said: So would I be correct in thinking that it is probably due to water competition from the tree roots? ==>>. bingo and a bango... you know much more than you are admitting to yourself ... and dont even get me going on cottonwood ... water suckers supreme ... and if they are close.... say the height of the tree ... i doubt you will ever water enough to overcome them and the conifers ... except for the above ... ken