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What tree poisons competitors to preserve its territory?

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The black walnut (Juglans nigra) [ju' glans nigh' gra] is a native of North America. Its wood is dense, chocolate brown, and very resistant to decay. Old rough-sawn boards from black walnut trees have been found buried for years without termites or decay. The rich color of the wood was still present after it had been
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Black Walnut—Prized for Nuts and Timber
Bears up to 30 bushels of nuts once it's established. Robust taste and aroma, superb in baked goods. Grows to 75 feet. Self-pollinating, but plant 2 or more for top crops. Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [Fruit & Nut Trees]

cleaned and milled.

The black walnut produces a secondary compound called juglone. Juglone is an allelopathic (anti-competition) chemical. Its presence in soil weakens or kills certain other plants. Especially vulnerable are plants like tomatoes, blackberries, azaleas, and blueberries. An established walnut tree is preserving its territory, saving all the water and nutrients for itself.

Knowledgeable gardeners never place flower or vegetable beds near a black walnut tree. And leaves or husks of black walnuts are never used in mulches or put into compost bins.

But, interestingly, juglone also kills fungi. It was so effective that prior to modern medicine, tinctures of walnut bark were used externally to treat fungal infections of the skin. (Medical Botany, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, 1977).

Click link to view a photograph of the black walnut.

Click here to view the photograph

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Hardy English Walnut Tree

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Bears Early and Produces a Huge Crop

Fast-growing hardwood reaches a mature size and spread of 30-50 feet. Bears impressive crops of easy-to-crack nuts in record time. Husks fall free of the nuts as they ripen. Handsome, hardy tree.

Nut trees contribute long-lasting looks to your landscape, and the nutritious nuts they produce are excellent for fresh eating and baking.

Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.) Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]

Comments: Bears as soon as 4 years after planting. Pest and disease resistant. Nuts fall free of husks when ripe. Full flavor, excellent quality. Drought resistant. Self-pollinating but produces better if planted in groups of two or more. Does not do well in wet areas. Nuts are easier to crack than black walnuts. Meat of the nut when cracked will most likely come out in pieces (sometimes may be halves).

Butternut Tree

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Nuts for the Far North

Bears well even after subzero temps! Enjoy bushels of flavorful butternuts by late summer. Grows to a height of 40-60 feet. Needs a pollinator.

Nut trees contribute long-lasting looks to your landscape, and the nutritious nuts they produce are excellent for fresh eating and baking.

Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.) Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]

Comments: Rough, thick, shells terminate in a sharp point. Distinctive, rich, oily, buttery flavor. Has the ability to succeed in poor soils. Somewhat self-pollinating but best to plant in groups. Easy to shell nuts. May secrete juglone as it is a member of the walnut family.

American Hazelnut Tree

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Ideal Where space is Limited

Small size, big production! Just 15 feet tall, fiery fall foliage. Needs a pollinator- plant 2.

Fruit: Clusters of 2-6 round, 1/2 inch long nuts with smooth, thick shells

Nut trees contribute long-lasting looks to your landscape, and the nutritious nuts they produce are excellent for fresh eating and baking.

Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.) Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]

Comments: Shells are easy to crack; shell out whole. Plant 2 or more with another variety for proper cross-pollination. Also known as "American Filbert'. Annual bearer.

Hardy Pecan Tree

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Exceptionally Cold Tolerant

Exceptionally hardy pecan produces a generous crop of thin-shelled buttery tasting nuts every year. Grows 50-70 feet tall. Needs a pollinator.

Nut trees contribute long-lasting looks to your landscape, and the nutritious nuts they produce are excellent for fresh eating and baking.

Zones: 5 - 8 (-10° F.) Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]

Comments: Tolerates temperature extremes. Very resistant to insects. Will thrive anywhere peaches can be grown. Rich flavored nut of excellent quality. Somewhat self-pollinating but produces better when planted with another. Difficult to transplant; long taproot.

Chinese Chestnut Tree

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Blight Resistant, Very Productive

Gurney's Choice Fast growing to 40-60 feet. Eventually sets 75-100 pounds of meaty nuts to roast. Needs a pollinator.

Nut trees contribute long-lasting looks to your landscape, and the nutritious nuts they produce are excellent for fresh eating and baking.

Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.) Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]

Comments: Medium to large, meaty, crisp nuts. Resistant to chestnut blight. Adapts to less than ideal conditions. Plant in groups of 2 or more for proper cross-pollination. Slow to establish but grows quickly once it's established. Performs well in hot, dry climates. Responds well to fertilization.

Shellbark Hickory Nut Tree

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery®

Easy-to-shell nuts and beautiful golden timber!

Field's Favorite Tasty, thin-shelled nuts split on their own when fully ripe. Grows 60 ft. tall with a straight, sturdy trunk, shaggy bark, and glowing golden timber. Planttwo trees to pollinate.

Zone 4 to 8 Click here - $20 off at Henry Fields Seed and Nursery! [More Fruit & Nut Trees!]