Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I'M A REAL BEGINNER--I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT BLACK WALNUT LOOKS LIKE. WHAT ARE THE BASICS OF THIS SPECIES?

Black walnut is one of America's precious natural resources and our most valuable native hardwood. The Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS) has probably the best botanical description of black walnut one could find on their "Trees of Eastern North American Forests" page.

2. CAN I PLANT THE TREES MYSELF?

Yes. We supply you with a 12-page instruction manual when we receive your deposit. A video on planting, care and maintenance is provided free to those who purchase a half-acre or more. Also, we urge you to join the American Black Walnut Association (ABWA) to keep abreast of new tools and techniques on taking care of the trees. They hold field days and publish a quarterly newsletter. You can reach the ABWA at (765) 583-3315.

3. IS MY PLANNED SITE A GOOD ONE?

The genetically superior trees--and this includes the seedlings grown from the nuts of the patented trees--will do well under a lot of different conditions in almost every area of the country. Ideally, they should be planted in good, rich, aerated soil at least three feet thick. The soil should be well-drained but have good moisture-holding capacity. Check your NRCS (formerly, SCS) or CFSA (formerly, ASCS) office for the type of soil you have. In Indiana, for example, over 150 soils have been identified as suitable for black walnut.

4. WHAT ABOUT SITE PREPARATION?

In general, sites should be cleared a month or more prior to planting. Adjust the pH to between 6.5 and 7.2. After marking the rows where the trees are to be planted, disk to eliminate weeds in that area or apply a mixture of PRINCEP 80W and at planting time, expanding with the dripline diameter in later years), a couple applications of ROUNDUP to control weeds in four to six-foot strips or circles. We recommend planting red clover between the rows. After planting the trees, cover the surrounding area with a non-composting mulch like wood chips. Subsoiling during a dry period before planting (at least in the rows where the trees are to be planted) helps ensure the roots can grow easily and quickly establish themselves.

5. SHOULD I FERTILIZE?

We recommend applying our time-release fertilizer when the trees are planted. It lasts about three years in Southern climates and up to five years in cooler Northern climates. The second year you should test the soil and add fertilizer and other nutrients if needed. But be careful when using broadcast fertilizers--some growers have over-fertilized and killed their trees.

6. WHEN SHOULD I PLANT?

For foliated trees in pots, between April in the deep South and late June in the far North, about a month earlier for dormant trees. We do not recommend fall planting except in southern areas where the trees' roots are unlikely to freeze.

7. CAN THE TREES BE SHIPPED?

Whether or not your order can be shipped depends on whether you order dormant or foliated (i.e., potted and leafed out) trees. Dormant trees can be shipped; potted trees must be picked up at the nursery in West Lafayette, Indiana. Seedlings are always supplied dormant; Successor GST grafted trees can be supplied dormant or foliated in pots. While we usually have an adequate supply of dormant seedlings, we usually sell out of dormant GSTs (i.e., grafts) by August of the preceding year. Therefore, most planters who choose dormant grafted trees order them one year in advance (with a 25% deposit) and use the spare time for site preparation.

PLEASE NOTE: Grafts that are foliated and in pots (4" x 4" milk cartons) are between 24" and 36" tall. You can load nine per square foot or about 90 on a 4' x 4' pallet. Since they are leafed out, they must be transported in an enclosed, protected area. Tree protectors are flat 12" x 48". A stack of 140 (i.e., for one acre of grafted trees) is about two feet high.

8. DO I NEED TREE PROTECTORS?

We recommend tree protectors because they accelerate vertical growth and protect the trees from animals, weed eaters, chemicals, etc. Use only protectors that can be easily opened and closed so that the trees can go dormant in the fall and be ventilated in the summer, if necessary. Our protectors are field-tested and proven, and they're available at a reasonable price.

9. SHOULD I ALSO PLANT SHADE OR ORNAMENTAL TREES?

The purpose of intercropping with shade and ornamentals is to help generate cash flow in the early years of your plantation. Harvest these trees, balled and burlapped, in the third through sixth years and you should generate enough money to pay for the entire plantation.

10. I'VE HEARD GROWING BLACK WALNUT IS VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT WILL I HAVE TO DEVOTE TO MY PLANTATION?

The first two years of a black walnut plantation are the most labor intensive because you need to keep the trees adequately hydrated and keep the weed competition as low as possible.

When natural rainfall is not sufficient, "hauled water" (i.e., using a 300-600 gallon water trailer) or a simple drip irrigation system (i.e., a pressure-regulated, "garden hose spigot-supplied," 1/2" drip irrigation line with one emitter per tree) is commonly used. Typically, each tree needs approximately five gallons of water per week when there is no rain.

Weed control can be achieved with an adequate layer of mulch (minimally 6-12" deep in a 6' diameter circle around each tree at planting time, expanding with the dripline diameter in later years), a couple applications of Roundup per growing season, and perhaps some shallow tillage (not too deep or the tender walnut feeder roots can be damaged).

Pruning begins after the second full growing season. Two prunings per year are done: a winter pruning to control lateral limbs and a spring pruning to correct physical damage (typically caused by deer browse) and restore a dominant central leader. One man can generally prune an acre of trees in one morning or less, depending on experience.

11. HOW LONG WILL THE TREES LIVE?

Black walnut will live for several hundred years, but the genetically superior Successor GST grafted trees grow about twice as fast as common black walnut. GSTs can be ready to harvest in as little as 25-35 years with perfectly straight, veneer-grade boles roughly 19-20" in diameter at the small end.

12. WHAT ABOUT NUTS? WHEN WILL THE TREES START BEARING?

Bear in mind (please forgive the pun!) that the geneically superior trees were selected for timber form and rate of growth not nut production. However, the six Successor GST cultivars and their seedlings are still black walnut and can be expected to yield an average nut crop. Some trees may begin bearing nuts in the third or fourth year, but top production is usually reached in about fifteen years.

13. ALTHOUGH I HAVE PLENTY OF GARDENING EXPERIENCE, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RAISING BLACK WALNUT TREES. WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

American Forestry Technology takes the educational aspect of our business very seriously. We include a detailed 12-page Planting and Care Instructions booklet, as well as a $20 Care and Maintenance video free of charge with every order for at least one-half acre of our grafts or seedlings. I've tried to include everything on Walnut on the Web! that a novice would need to make a decision and get started; I'll be happy to send you a Complete Information Packet.

There are two black walnut organizations that serve two different purposes: The American Black Walnut Association (ABWA, 765-583-3315) was formed to help planters of the genetically superior trees maximize their performance, and The Walnut Council (317-873-8780) is a more academically-oriented association. Both organizations have annual meetings/field days and publish newsletters. The ABWA has a Field Day every mid-September, and the Walnut Council has a summer annual meeting. I have an on-line membership form for the American Black Walnut Association.

I am a lifetime member of both the American Black Walnut Association and the Walnut Council. Anyone who grows black walnut as an investment should at least join the ABWA to stay abreast of the latest developments.

14. I HAVE A BIG BLACK WALNUT IN MY BACK YARD THAT I'D LIKE TO CUT DOWN AND SELL. HOW DOES THE VENEER INDUSTRY WORK, AND HOW SHOULD I FIND A BUYER FOR THIS TREE?

A single black walnut tree will not interest many buyers, especially if it has already been cut. Most buyers need at least a truckload of trees to justify sending a crew out. Of course, an exceptional tree can break all the rules. In 1974, $35,000 was paid for a 37-inch diameter tree, and eleven years later the Exotic Veneer Company of Borden, Indiana paid $90,000 for a single black walnut veneer log. We recommend growers have about 200 trees for sale at one time and advertise for bids. You can attract buyers from all over the world with roughly this quantity of veneer grade trees.

Planting a 2 acre plantation of our genetically superior, grafted Successor GST trees can produce this quantity and quality of trees in as little as 25 to 35 years. We recommend planting the grafts 15' apart in rows 20' apart for 140 trees per acre. Plan on about 80% survival to harvest, although many growers achieve 100% or nearly 100% survival. It is possible to realize a return on your investment (ROI) in excess of 4,000% by growing our genetically superior black walnut trees!

15. I'm convinced. Where can I get a Price List and Order Form?