UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



BULLETIN No. 933 



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Contribution from the Forest Service 

 WILLIAM B. GREELEY, Forester 



JIUT^U. 



Washington, D. C. 



PROFESSIONAL PAPER 



March 8, 1921 



BLACK WALNUT: ITS GROWTH AND 

 MANAGEMENT. 



By F. S. Baker, Forest Examiner. 

 CONTENTS. 



Introduction 



Distribution of walnut 



Supply 



Description of the tree 



Silvical characteristics 



Growth of individual trees- 



Page. 



1 



2 



6 



15 



18 



22 



Growth of stands (yield per acre) — 

 Measuring logs and estimating stand- 

 ing timber 



Walnut plantations 



Establishing walnut plantations 



Page. 

 26 



28 

 31 

 40 



INTRODUCTION. 



The importance of black walnut {Juglans nigra, Linn.) was im- 

 pressed upon the whole Nation by the efforts made during the war to 

 secure black- walnut wood for gunstocks and airplane propellers. The 

 supply, which has never been large in comparison with the supply of 

 other woods, was greatly depleted to satisfy these war-time demands. 

 The demand for black walnut has continued strong since the close of 

 the, war period, and comparatively high prices have been maintained. 

 Even during peace times there is sure to be a constant though moder- 

 ate call for walnut and at higher prices than are obtained for most 

 other North American woods. 



In order that the supply of black walnut may not be inadequate for 

 manufacturing needs in the event of another war, there should be a 

 reserve of growing timber. Whatever the Government may ac- 

 complish in this direction on its own lands, every farm within the 

 range of walnut growth on which trees of this species are found is 

 potentially a part of such a reserve. Obviously, black walnut is a 

 very valuable element of any timberland or farm wood lot in which 

 it grows. Great importance, therefore, attaches to the questions of 

 available supply, growth, and management of black walnut, and of 

 the financial possibilities of growing it for the timber market. It is 

 the purpose of this bulletin to present such, information as is available 

 on these subjects. 



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