, GROWING 
UL BLACK > WALNUTS 
for home use 
Information for this publication was furnished by the Crops Research Division and 
the Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service 
The black walnut tree is native to 
much of the United States east of the 
Great Plains. It is a desirable shade 
and ornamental tree, and will produce 
nut crops on a wide variety of sites 
and soil types within its natural range. 
The tree can be grown for shade or 
ornamental purposes a few hundred 
miles outside of its natural range, but 
may not produce nuts there. 
To grow black walnuts for home 
use— 
@ Plant trees of improved varieties. 
@ Plant them in early spring on fer- 
tile, well-drained soils. 
@ Provide sufficient moisture and 
nutrients. 
@ Control diseases and insect pests. 
Area in which the black walnut grows as 
a native tree. 
VARIETIES 
Several improved, grafted varieties 
of black walnut trees are available. 
They are far superior to native trees 
grown from seed. 
Three of the most widely planted of 
the improved varieties are Thomas, 
Ohio, and Myers. They start bearing 
nuts the second or third year after they 
are planted, while native trees do not 
start bearing nuts until about 10 years 
after being planted. 
At 5 or 6 years of age, Thomas and 
Ohio each produce about one-fourth of 
a bushel of nuts, and Myers produces 
about one-eight of a bushel of nuts. 
At 15 to 20 years of age, Thomas and 
Ohio produce about 2 bushels of nuts, 
Myers produces about 1 bushel of nuts, 
and native trees produce about one- 
forth of a bushel of nuts, 
Nuts produced by native trees usu- 
ally have thick and heavy shells. 
Thomas and Ohio nuts have thinner 
shells, and Myers nuts have the thin- 
nest shells of all. 
Walnut anthracnose is the most se- 
rious disease of the native trees. Ohio 
is resistant to the disease, but in years 
of severe infection it may be defoliated. 
Myers usually is more resistant to an- 
thracnose than native trees, but less so 
ant of the three improved varieties. 
than Ohio. Thomas is the least resist- 
Improved varieties of black walnut 
