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Black Walnut story for Kate

22 comments


Some years ago I planted Juglans nigra (black walnut) on edge of the forest.
It grew into a handsome big tree but it never gave me any walnuts or maybe squirrels found them before me.
I trimmed it every fall (somewhat) only to find out that it grew so much bigger every spring.
Then it started to obstruct our views so I decided that the tree has to go.

Last fall we chopped it to the minimum and got this exercising stump. Almost looked like a garden ornament exept it was living

and in the late spring started to push branches all over the trunk. It is a happy good looking tree again.
I went down today to take a picture and this is how it looks right now. Quite healthy but smaller.

We will trim it again, maybe not so drastically. Obviously it wants to live.

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Comments

 

It certainly deserves to live. It makes a lovely feature.

8 Sep, 2020

 

I love these trees , I know they grow massive but I really would like one

8 Sep, 2020

 

Lovely to see you back again Klahanie.

8 Sep, 2020

 

A brave thing to do but a good outcome.

8 Sep, 2020

 

Thanks numbersfarm. It will live. I think it loves the spot where I put it.

Paulrija,
They are majestic trees but need lots of space and they can be toxic to other plants in the vicinity. We are living on an acreage.

Thank you Thorneyside , xoxo

Agnet, I am glad it survived.

8 Sep, 2020

 

Welcome back Klahanie. Your tree looks so pretty lovely shape and healthy I hope it lasts for years to come.

8 Sep, 2020

 

Thank you for your welcome Thrupennybit.
I hope it will get me some nuts one day.

9 Sep, 2020

 

It's good to be optimistic Klahanie. I was when I bought a small walnut tree 20 odd years ago. I nurtured it and last year, for the first time I had one walnut so sorry to say I gave up and in the spring removed it. It never got that big anyway,I don't think it was happy here. A couple of cut branches have given my parrot endless fun though. He stripped the bark completely then my grandaughter's Frenchie who loves a stick has them to play with. Recycling!

9 Sep, 2020

 

Thanks for the story of your walnut tree Thorneyside :-)

9 Sep, 2020

 

Klahanie I would say give it a chance. I read that Walnut trees can take up to 13 years before it produces fruit. Even grafted trees can take 3 years. It's a nice tree nevertheless. I just thought of my my neighbor who has 2 giant Oak trees in his garden - and the acorns are dropping on his roof all night long with a loud clunk, bang bang! Sometimes they hit the windows with a clank boinga and the squirrels are up there fighting over acorns and making a ruckus all day long.

9 Sep, 2020

 

I am guessing that I have it now for 12 years, Bathgate.
I have a nice memories from my childhood of a huge walnut tree in our back yard. It was a big job for collecting all nuts, drying and peeling. My hands were stained for weeks. I like the smell of it too.
Thanks for your story of 2 big old oaks. We have plenty of squirrels around so I can imagine what you are talking about.

9 Sep, 2020

 

It's a strong healthy tree so it will definitely start producing for you, maybe next year. Are walnuts roasted like peanuts?

9 Sep, 2020

 

We did not roast them Bathgate. We laid them in flats to dry them and then peeled the husks by hand. then you just use a nut cracker to eat or use as needed Walnuts from black walnut tree is really hard to crack. The European and Persian walnuts are much easier to open. but in my opinion the nuts of black walnut are so much more flavourful.

9 Sep, 2020

 

I think it looks a lovely tree, even if you don't get walnuts.
I guess you just have to keep it to the size you want. Nice to see you are back with us.

10 Sep, 2020

 

Wow!!!!!! That is definitely amazing, Klahanie. Thank you for posting. I do think it looks healthy, loving the shape of it too. I can only imagine the walnuts from your tree have been so very tasty. The ‘chopped’ tree from last year looked very artistic, it’s astounding how it’s transformed from last autumn/fall. It’s definitely a tree that wants to thrive, as you say.
Love your adirondack chair. I have one next to the pond.
Your lush planting around the walnut tree is very attractive.

10 Sep, 2020

 

Thank you Feverfew and Kate for your nice comments.

That iis exactly what I will have to do Feverfew. I pruned it very early last year because its falling leaves are toxic to rhubarb close by. Now, that it is smaller I can rake them and let is enjoy the sun shine.

Kate, I wanted to show you that you do not have to worry about your plant. Most are pretty resilient .

10 Sep, 2020

 

Thank you Klahanie, OH will be more than pleased!

11 Sep, 2020

 

What an amazing looking Tree it obviously likes drastic treatment and has repaid you with its new lush growth. Looking at your photo makes me want to just flop down in that chair and read a good book.

13 Sep, 2020

 

Thanks Stroller. I do that often. So peaceful down there.

13 Sep, 2020

 

My cousin grows pecan nuts down in Louisiana. My gosh they are delicious and what a cash crop. He ships them all over the world. Pecan wood imparts such a nice flavor to anything you cook - smoked salmon or brisket

14 Sep, 2020

 

Paul - sounds just wonderful.

14 Sep, 2020

 

I love pecans Bathgate. They are sweeter and drier than walnuts.
Pecan trees are even bigger than walnut trees and live longer.
Your cousin is fortunate that he can commercially grow them.

14 Sep, 2020

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