This softens the kernels slightly and allows you to remove them in larger pieces. To facilitate cracking of walnuts and other hard-shelled nuts, sprinkle them with water and put them in a tight can with a damp sponge for 12 hours or more. They can then be stored in a cool, dry place. Then wash the nuts and spread them out in a shady, ventilated place to dry for several weeks. Remove the husks with a hammer or by rolling them across a rough pavement under a heavy boot. If left on the ground so the husks can decompose, the kernels are dark colored and more strongly flavored. At this point they have mild, light colored kernels. Harvest the nuts as soon as they fall from the tree. Cut out these limbs before they exceed 1' in diameter.īlack walnuts start bearing 3 to 6 years after planting. If a tree is grown for timber or as an ornamental specimen in an open area, the lower limbs can be removed gradually as the tree shoots upward. You must keep an eye on them, to see they develop only a single, straight trunk and main branches with wide crotches.

Maintaining a mulch of organic matter around the trees help to nourish them.īlack walnuts need little pruning except to remove dead and damaged wood and suckers developing below the graft. Fertilize in the spring with a 10-10-10 mixture at the rate of 1 cup per year of tree age however, trees that are making strong growth need to be fed only every 2nd or 3rd year.

Water trees regularly during their first year and in dry periods there after. (see below for some plants that are sensitive and some that are tolerant to juglone). In a lawn area, the fallen nuts make mowing difficult. Each tree needs a space of about 60' in diameter, although in a plantation that is grown for timber as well as nuts, trees are often started out 20' apart and gradually thinned.ĭo not plant black walnuts near apple trees or the vegetable garden, because the roots contain the toxic substance juglone that damages these plants. Plant the tree at the depth previously grown. The trees have deep roots and require a deep soil that is above average in quality, well drained and moisture retentive. Like other nuts, black walnuts can be grown from seed but do not come true so buy grafted varieties.

You can view the offering by clicking the link below or visit the Purdue Extension Office in Elkhart County for a copy.ĭownload, view, or print tree sale form here.Magnificent deciduous trees to 150' with rough nuts that are prized for their rich, oily, distinctively flavored kernels. Trees are sold in packages of 5, 10, or 25. This sale includes 13 varieties of trees that are native to the region, or are well suited for our area. These trees will be available to pick up on March 25. The order deadline for this sale is Janufor the early bird discount, and March 3 for the final deadline. The whole IDNR order form is posted at It is important to get your order in early to get your pick of tree species.įor smaller quantities of trees for a backyard planting, Michiana Master Gardeners and Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District also have a sale. The IDNR State Nursery sells a number of small trees and shrub seedlings as special packets for wildlife, uplands, bottom lands, nuts and fine hardwoods. These trees have been selected for their improved growth performance, and will sell out quickly. IDNR also offers a “select line” black walnut, white oak and black cherry, for $48. IDNR has 1- to 2-year-old conifer seedlings (Norway Spruce, white pine, and Virginia pine) for $33 per 100 trees and 27 species of 1 to 3 year old deciduous trees (including walnut, bald cypress, and 13 different species of oaks) for $39 to $45 per 100 trees. IDNR includes a wide variety of trees this season, including 3-year-old evergreen seedlings (northern white cedar, red pine, Norway spruce, and white pine) for $43 per 100 trees. The trees are sold for conservation use, not for general landscaping or resale. The seedlings are bare-root stock, which means a bundle of 100 trees would easily fit into the trunk of your car. IDNR sells a wide variety of conifer and deciduous seedlings. The other category of people wishing to buy trees are homeowners, who want to buy that special tree, or a group of trees to improve the landscaping and environment around their property.įor those wishing to purchase large quantities of trees, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is a good place to shop. One group is the conservationists, who wish to plant trees for reforestation, wildlife habitat, erosion control, or similar purposes. I get calls from two different groups of people wishing to plant trees. Fall is an excellent time to plan for a spring tree planting.

Purdue 1 black walnut seedlings