



Black Walnut - Juglans nigra - An investment for the future
The Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a fast growing nut tree. It is also our most precious North American hardwood and is a real financial investment.
Please note that we source our seeds in a variety of locations in the province (zone 3, zone 4 and zone 5). At checkout, please let us know in the comment box in which zone (or town) the trees will be planted, so that we can send you those that are the best adapted to your area.
IN STOCK:
- ZONE 3: Only available in a 2-3 feet size
- ZONE 4: Only available in a 1-2 feet size
- ZONE 5: Available in 1-2 feet (May only)
The nut
Apart from money, the Black Walnut also bears delicious walnuts. The perfumed smooth and round nut shell is highly aromatic. The true nut is sweet and spicy, many will tell you that they make the best pies. As the shell is very hard, you will need a more solid tool than the common nut cracker to get the nut out of the shell!
Cultivation
This nut tree needs a sunny spot and well drained, rich soil. Well drained clay is its favourite place to be. The tree will survive being drowned in water for two weeks in spring, but no more than that. The Black Walnut will grow in temperatures as low as those experienced in zone 3, but needs to be in zone 4 or warmer to produce nuts. Many Black Walnut are not hardy to zone 3. The seedlings we grow here are born from parents with a winterproof genetic that can withstand -47 degrees Celsius. The Black Walnut is a fast-growing tree that can reach 30 metres high and a 10-metre branch spread. It is also used as a medicinal plant as it has antifungal properties.
Juglone toxicity
The Black Walnut is a member of the Juglans family. Its roots produce a substance named juglone that is toxic to various plants, inclusive of apple trees, tomato, potato, cabbage, eggplant, blueberry, azalea, rhododendron, lilac, red pine and the like. For a more complete list of plants intolerant to juglone click here. Consider this when choosing where to plant a Black Walnut.
Financial Investment
The Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) wood is very rare and therefore very expensive. It is a long-term investment as a 25 year old tree can have a value up to $15,000. Your initial outlay will be $20. What bank can offer you even $100 after 25 years?
Hardiness Zone
Some of our seeds originate from a zone 3 area while others originate from a zone 5 area. At checkout, please let us know what zone are your walnut going to be planted in so that we can send you the right ones for your area.
Characteristic | Value |
---|---|
Height at maturity | 30 metres (100 feet) |
Spacing | 10 metres (30 feet) |
Hardiness zone | 4 |
Soil | rich, deep, well drained |
Sun / shade | Full sun |
Flowering | May |
Harvest | Mid-October |
Average fruit weight | Dry nut with shell: 23 g (weight without shell: 5g) |
Fruit color | Brown shell / Cream nut |
Years to bear fruit | 8 to 12 |
Pollination | Self-fertile, but better results with cross-pollination |
Latin name | Juglans nigra |
Average diameter of fruit | |
Also known as |