If you decide to have a black walnut tree in your garden, you have to consider a few things. The location and soil conditions are particularly important.
If you have a lot of space in your garden or on your own property and you want to plant a tree there, you often fall back on trees that are rare and considered to be particularly expensive if you are looking for something very special. But it is precisely such trees that often prove to be very demanding in terms of location and planting, as well as rearing. After all, there's a good reason they're not that common in our gardens. The black walnut tree (bot. Juglans nigra) also belongs to these plants. While it is not impossible or extremely difficult to acquire or raise, it may require a little more research and effort. Below we will tell you which conditions are ideal for this tree and how to proceed when planting.
Information about the black walnut tree
The black walnut tree is a plant belonging to the walnut family - also called Juglandaceae. The plant, which was only introduced in this country in the 17th century, actually comes from Texas and North America, where it can reach an incredible 50 meters in height. In Europe, on the other hand, the black walnut tree can reach a height of up to 30 meters, which is particularly visible in the forests around the Rhine and Danube. Some trees of this type were planted here around 1900, so that the largest stocks in Europe can be found in these areas.
It is interesting and good to know that the black walnut tree can live up to 250 years and can even become poisonous for its surroundings if parts of it die off. This can be recognized by a black discoloration of the tree parts, which is produced by chemical processes when they die. By the way, in autumn the tree bears nuts as fruits, which are edible and taste good prepared in various ways. These are carried in a shell that turns black-brown when ripe and can usually only be harvested from the tree when it is about ten years old.
Use Black Walnut
On the one hand, the black walnut tree can raise nuts, which are harvested- either for yourself or to give away or sell. On the other hand, the black walnut tree is also often planted because of the fairly high yields that its wood brings, because it is so characteristically dark in color and looks very noble. Among other things, the wood is processed into furniture, but also into accessories for the household or decorations.
Also because the black walnut tree can reach an impressive height and its growth is particularly appealing to the eye, many enthusiasts like to rely on the walnut plant. Furthermore, the tree - if its location offers the best conditions - is very strong and deeply rooted, so that it can withstand one or the other storm without any problems and does not break quickly in a storm.
Black walnut - optimal conditions
If you want to plant the black walnut tree, you first need a lot of space. Not only because the tree can grow up to 30 meters high, but also because its crown is up to 20 meters wide. In addition, the black walnut tree absorbs so many nutrients from its environment that nearby growth and plants may not thrive and may die. A location that is as free and generous as possible is therefore required for the black walnut tree. If you cannot offer this, it is better to switch to another tree species. At the same time, the black walnut tree prefers sunny but sheltered locations, such as those found in wine-growing regions, which ensure that the black walnut tree thrives.
In addition to the generous, sunny and sheltered location, the black walnut tree also prefers nutrient-rich soil, as it absorbs many nutrients from the soil for the growth and carrying of the nuts. The soil should also be rich in water, but not affected by waterlogging. Then the tree manages to develop a fairly deep and firmly anchored root, which makes it very robust and resilient.
The black walnut tree is only sensitive to late frost. If you experience late frosts at your location - for example in spring - you might want to consider choosing a different tree species. Otherwise it could happen that the tree dies as a young plant or its growth is not optimal.
Planting black walnut trees - step by step
If you want to plant the black walnut tree, you should consider several things. These include, for example:
- planting time
- the soil or the right substrate
- the right location
- Nutrients
- Support withGrow
- the right preparation
The black walnut tree can be planted from April to November. However, it should be noted that there is no cold period immediately before or at the time of planting, so that the ground could still be frozen. It is therefore better to wait so that the soil can warm up sufficiently before planting and thus provide ideal conditions for the young plant.
Select Location
Once you have decided on a time to plant the black walnut tree, you can choose the location. There are several things to consider.
So not only the tree has to be given a lot of space because of the later growing crown, but also its roots. These can spread very far and thus attack masonry, terraces or sidewalks. This not only causes damage, cracks or other things that endanger safety, but above all protruding roots, which you can trip over. Therefore, it is recommended to plant the tree at least ten meters away from those things. If the crownwork of a terrace could later get in the way or affect a carport, for example, the distance should of course be even greater.
So that the black walnut tree does not affect other plants, a distance of about 15 meters must also be maintained here. In general, a sunny and slightly sheltered place should be selected so that the tree can bring in as much harvest as possible after appropriate growth at the right time. A sufficient distance should also be chosen to the neighboring property. We're talking at least eight meters here if you want to be on the safe side.
Preparation and the right planting
Before the young tree can even be planted, the soil must of course be prepared accordingly. The planting hole, for example, should be dug quite deep: it should offer the plant a little more than 50 cm of space so that the tree can quickly grow firmly rooted. But that's not all: the dug hole should also be 80 cm wide, so that this task is sure to keep you busy for a while.
Once the young tree has been placed in the hole, it must be filled with soil that is as rich in nutrients as possible. This is possible with the help of compost, root fertilizer, long-term fertilizer or humus-containing potting soil, which can supply the tree with all the nutrients for the important start. Before the earth is trampled on, you should flood it with water. Tocan then be poured again. The tree also needs a lot of water in the days that follow. During the warm season, watering is particularly important.
Growing help
Lots of nutrients, favorable soil and a suitable location help some black walnut trees to grow quickly, which is sure to please hobby gardeners too. However, the black walnut tree needs help here, because in order to obtain the necessary stability, it needs some support. A stake or tree support that is placed in the planting hole must be placed in such a way that it can support the tree as it grows - ideally for the first few years. If you want, you can provide good frost protection in the beginning - especially if the black walnut tree was planted towards the end of the year.
| Advantages | Cons |
|
|