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["Robert Walton" <waltonrp AT gmail.com>]

I have a couple of trees back in the woods. I need to go check to see
if they are giving any nuts this year. I've gathered acorns for
planting and last weekend had my aunt bring me some black walnuts for
planting cause there are a couple of very prolific trees near her. I
was just doing some web research on them this morning.

I've harvested and cracked a lot of black walnuts. I've tried to
transplant several and they do not do well. It's the taproot.

> What I need, is a Walnut 101 from you guys.  For the cracking, I've seen
> people run over sacks of them with their car...what do y'all think of that?

I think that is to remove the husk. You can just lay them out in the
driveway and run over them. Will stain concrete. Other option is let
them sit until the husk turns yellow if it is not already and use some
gloves to twist it off.

> Dumb question #1  What is the difference, planting wise and taste wise,
> of the seed husk being green vs. black?

Planting wise, can't see how it is anything less than natural. I'm
just letting mine sit on the ground in the husk. Taste wise, I think
the flavor is milder if they are husked.

> Dumb question #2  What kind of germination should I expect if I just put
> some green seeds in a hole 2 inches deep?  I understand that they are
> hard to transplant due to the taproot.  The whole green/black thing
> confuses me.

http://treenotes.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-grow-black-walnut-tree-from-seed.html

They recommend to plant several seeds 4 inches deep and leave the strongest.

> Dumb questin #3  I know to wear gloves and old clothes..can I use the
> discarded husks around the foundation of the house without the juglone
> adversely affecting my foundation plantings?  Is there a better use for
> the husks?

I'd put them in a wooded area like mulch.Maybe back under the tree
where God intended them to be? :>)


> Dumb question #4  How long will it take for a seedling to become a 10' tree?
>

I tree is growing at my aunts from a seed that fell off the tree. It's
in the shade and must be 10' after 3 years. Scroll down on this page:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/juglans/nigra.htm
and you will find some information on growth rates.

I figure on mine, I might live to see a few good crops of nuts.

Rob - Va