BLACK WALNUT! ITS GROWTH AND MANAGEMENT. 21 
Sprout reproduction occurs irregularly from stumps of small and 
moderate-sized trees cut, apparently, at any season of the year. The 
sprouts are usually numerous and come from the side of the stump 
somewhat above the root collar. During the first few years the 
sprouts usually grow tall, weak, and crooked, resembling those of 
cottonwood, especially if they are not in full light. The first season's 
growth probably continues until frost, which kills back the tops of 
the sprouts for as much as a foot. Unless there is plently of light, 
all the sprouts usually die in a few years. In the open, one or two or 
even three sprouts may persist and grow into fair-size trees. The 
original stump rots away, however, weakening the base of the sprout 
and infecting it with red butt rot. Sprout reproduction rarely pro- 
duces a good tree of saw-log- size. Certainly it is not to be con- 
sidered seriously as a means of regenerating a stand. 
DISEASES AND INJURIES. 
FUNGI. 
Black walnut is moderately free from tree diseases and is as resist- 
ant to injury as any of its associates. Red butt rot is found in a 
small percentage of trees, mostly old trees of northern growth, al- 
though it is very bad in parts of central Kentucky. As a rule the rot 
extends only a short distance up the tree, and " butting off " the 
lower 3 or 4 feet of a hollow tree will usually remove most of this 
defect. The " doty " zone that surrounds the advanced decomposi- 
tion at the center is generally narrow; it is frequently possible, in 
fact, to saw boards within an inch of an open hollow before any dis- 
coloration appears. 
A white top rot is found, limited almost entirely to southern logs, 
particularly from Oklahoma and Texas. Its presence is indicated by 
punky knots and occasionally by conks on the upper trunk. This rot 
extends a greater distance up and down the trunk than the red butt 
rot and is a much greater detriment to the logs, especially if they are 
to be used for sawing into lumber. A large log with a defective center 
might be made to furnish a large amount of first-class veneer, but 
could not to advantage be sawed into lumber. 
INSECTS. 
A tent caterpillar disfigures the foliage of many roadside trees and 
reduces the rate of their growth. It is reported, however, to be rare 
in forest-grown trees and groves, walnut being worst affected when it 
grows near cherry or apple trees. In ornamental trees the nests 
should be promptly burned. Except for this caterpillar, walnut is 
very free from insect pests. 
