Difference between revisions of "Plant a Walnut Tree"
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While there are several species of walnut, most notably the black walnut and English walnut, basic planting and care instructions are all similar. Still, due to the existence of hundreds of varieties adapted to different climates and disease resistance, planting nuts from relatively nearby is recommended. Walnut trees can produce flavorful nuts and durable, attractive timber, but home gardeners should be aware that they often kill nearby plants! Also, keep in mind that walnut trees don’t start producing nuts until about 10 years after they have been planted and the nut production will peak at about 30 years after planting. You can plant walnut trees from nuts, which are often free to collect but tedious to prepare, or seedlings, which usually need to be purchased but typically have a higher success rate. | While there are several species of walnut, most notably the black walnut and English walnut, basic planting and care instructions are all similar. Still, due to the existence of hundreds of varieties adapted to different climates and disease resistance, planting nuts from relatively nearby is recommended. Walnut trees can produce flavorful nuts and durable, attractive timber, but home gardeners should be aware that they often kill nearby plants! Also, keep in mind that walnut trees don’t start producing nuts until about 10 years after they have been planted and the nut production will peak at about 30 years after planting. You can plant walnut trees from nuts, which are often free to collect but tedious to prepare, or seedlings, which usually need to be purchased but typically have a higher success rate. | ||
| − | [[Category:Planting and Growing]] | + | [[Category: Planting and Growing]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing Walnuts for Planting=== | ===Preparing Walnuts for Planting=== | ||
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#Water occasionally. For at least the first two years after planting, whether grown from nut or seed, the walnut tree needs supplemental watering, especially during dry or warm weather. Weekly waterings are best for newly planted trees, but you can water less as the tree grows. Give the plant a thorough watering, but do not water again until the soil has mostly dried. Frequent watering can harm the plant.<ref name="rf3" /> | #Water occasionally. For at least the first two years after planting, whether grown from nut or seed, the walnut tree needs supplemental watering, especially during dry or warm weather. Weekly waterings are best for newly planted trees, but you can water less as the tree grows. Give the plant a thorough watering, but do not water again until the soil has mostly dried. Frequent watering can harm the plant.<ref name="rf3" /> | ||
#*After two or three years, the trees only need to be watered during the hottest time of year or during a drought, about one to three times a month.<ref name="rf3" /> | #*After two or three years, the trees only need to be watered during the hottest time of year or during a drought, about one to three times a month.<ref name="rf3" /> | ||
| − | #Deal with weeds. Care for seedlings by keeping the area around them free of sod and weeds, which will compete with the growth of small seedlings. Remove sod and weeds by hand or by laying fabric weed barrier. Larger seedlings can be treated with [[Apply | + | #Deal with weeds. Care for seedlings by keeping the area around them free of sod and weeds, which will compete with the growth of small seedlings. Remove sod and weeds by hand or by laying fabric weed barrier. Larger seedlings can be treated with [[Apply Mulch|mulch]] to keep weeds at bay, using about 2 or 3 inches over the root zones.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*Do not use mulch on plants that have not yet emerged from the soil, as it can block the sprout from growing. Wait until the seedling is woody and has developed roots. | #*Do not use mulch on plants that have not yet emerged from the soil, as it can block the sprout from growing. Wait until the seedling is woody and has developed roots. | ||
#Learn about pruning walnuts. If you are raising the walnut for timber, it is important to prune early to ensure a straight trunk, leaving one "leader" branch at the top of the tree and guiding it straight and upright over the next one or two growing seasons.<ref name="rf11">http://www.walnutcouncil.org/resources/growing-hardwoods/corrective-pruning.pdf</ref> Saplings grown for nuts can be left alone until after thinning, but subsequent pruning is wise for black walnut trees, as these are usually sold for timber eventually, even nut varieties.<ref name="rf12">http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/black-walnut-trees-zmaz81mazraw.aspx?PageId=5#ArticleContent</ref><ref name="rf5" /> | #Learn about pruning walnuts. If you are raising the walnut for timber, it is important to prune early to ensure a straight trunk, leaving one "leader" branch at the top of the tree and guiding it straight and upright over the next one or two growing seasons.<ref name="rf11">http://www.walnutcouncil.org/resources/growing-hardwoods/corrective-pruning.pdf</ref> Saplings grown for nuts can be left alone until after thinning, but subsequent pruning is wise for black walnut trees, as these are usually sold for timber eventually, even nut varieties.<ref name="rf12">http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/black-walnut-trees-zmaz81mazraw.aspx?PageId=5#ArticleContent</ref><ref name="rf5" /> | ||
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#*Keep livestock away from walnut trees of any size, as the damage they cause may even make the timber value of adult trees worthless.<ref name="rf5" /> | #*Keep livestock away from walnut trees of any size, as the damage they cause may even make the timber value of adult trees worthless.<ref name="rf5" /> | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
