The black walnut tree is an impressive plant that requires care primarily in the first years of growth. Fertilizing, watering and cutting are pending.
The black walnut tree - which belongs to the walnut family and originally comes from North America and Texas - is very popular in this country because of its stately growth, beautiful wood and nut yield. Planting the black walnut tree is not that easy, because many factors have to be considered and a lot of space is required to create the ideal habitat for the tree species. Unfortunately, once the planting and growing is done, you can't just sit back and relax: After all, the black walnut tree wants to continue to be optimally cared for.How high-maintenance is the black walnut tree really?
The black walnut tree - like most other walnut plants - does not require much care once it is fully grown. So you don't have to be an expert to keep the black walnut tree long-lived and to be able to harvest plenty of nuts year after year after sufficient growth. You should still have a green thumb, as well as the will to find out about the needs of the black walnut tree - because many a care ritual helps its growth and ensures that it stays he althy for a long time. So what does it take to properly care for the black walnut tree?
Care for the black walnut tree immediately after planting
The first care should already be taken when planting the young black walnut tree in order to make it easier for the tree to grow, set in place and spread out the roots. It is therefore important to provide the black walnut tree with fertilizer or compost so that it has enough nutrients to start in this location.
Once this step has been taken, you should dedicate yourself to watering: If the black walnut tree was planted in a warmer season, regular watering is particularly important - but the soil should be as permeable and airy as possible to prevent waterlogging. After the planting process, it is also advisable to paint it white. This is only necessary when autumn has already arrived- and protects the tree from frost and damage to the bark.
Pruning young black walnut tree
Pruning of the black walnut tree is also recommended in the year of planting, so that it grows evenly and strongly and its crown can be given a nice shape. The first cut should be made in late summer, but no later than September. For the first cut, you choose a main shoot that looks as straight and strong as possible - and either cut the other side shoots off completely or leave them shortened by a few centimeters. Smaller stem shoots should also be removed this year so that they can grow long and as strong as possible.
Further maintenance over the years
A slightly older black walnut tree, or a well-established tree, no longer needs too much care and devotion so that it can grow very well and be he althy. If you want to cut the black walnut tree - which is basically no longer necessary with this plant - you can cut back all selected side shoots. It should be noted, however, that these must not be cut back to the trunk - but should still be at least 20 centimeters away from it. Otherwise, the bark at that point could be susceptible to fungal infection, damaging the tree.
It is very important that any pruning of the black walnut tree only takes place during the summer months. In the spring, the root pressure on black walnut trees is still so high that the cuts could bleed profusely. This, in turn, not only affects the growing tree, but also increases the risk of the tree dying. It is therefore important to cut cones, which then dry out over time and can be cut further, i.e. shortened.
Winter black walnut - but how?
Even a very young, recently planted black walnut tree can survive well over the winter if you pay attention to a few things. If the young tree is in the garden in the ground, the geothermal heat will protect the root system from freezing completely. But you can help by laying jute and fir branches around the young trunk so that it and the roots are a little more protected.
If the black walnut tree was planted in a pot for the first time, it should be wrapped in jute and protected so that the root ball receives a little more warmth and does not freeze. Adding mulch, sand, and more soil to a larger pot and the smaller one inside can also helpto hibernate.
What should be considered when harvesting black walnuts?
Of course, harvesting the black walnut also requires some care and effort on the part of the gardener. The fruits should not be separated from the tree with their skins, but should only be collected after they have fallen off - after that they have to dry for a few days in order to be able to free them from the remains of the skin. It is particularly important in damp conditions that fallen fruit is picked up regularly and quickly - otherwise it can become mouldy. Black walnuts should be used or consumed quickly to enjoy their best flavor.
A large amount of information can quickly lead to forgetting important things, so here is an overview of the needs of the black walnut tree:
- a lot of fertilizer or compost is required for planting
- in warm periods it is important to water a lot
- Dry times should be treated preventively with plenty of water
- Young plants can be trimmed to get the ideal shape
- Pruning and cutting should only be carried out in summer, otherwise the opening will bleed too much
- Young plants can be supplied with plenty of fertilizer once a year - in the springtime - to support growth
- Overwintering measures not a must, but certainly helpful for very dainty young plants