A Few Walnuts
What Is My Father In Law Doing?
Last week, when I looked out of my kitchen window, I was surprised to see my father-in-law, Marshall, on the ground. Initially concerned, I soon realized the reason for his activity – he was picking up the thousands of black walnuts scattered all around.
While a few walnuts are always a welcome treat for cracking and baking, this year, this black walnut tree has an overabundance of nuts. Those lime-green balls the size of baseballs had become overwhelming. Anyone who has a mature Black Walnut Tree understands the delicate balance between their blessing and curse.
I recalled when I was living with my mother and stepfather in West Friendship, the rhythmic thudding of black walnuts falling on the tin roof of their old farmhouse. From August to October, it was a constant sound of falling nuts.
What Not To Grow Under A Black Walnut Tree
The tree under which Marshall was working now is situated at the back of my daughter’s property, which was once Marshall’s land. Marshall was the one who planted the tree many years ago. Despite its beauty, these black walnuts could still pose a problem, particularly when they go unpicked and turn black and moldy, creating trip hazards.
The sweet nut concealed within those tough shells makes it all worthwhile, but this year’s black walnut harvest was so abundant that Marshall decided he needed to do something about it. Even mowing was creating a problem.
Why People Want These Trees
One of the tree’s virtues is the generous shade it provides. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when planting anything nearby or under its canopy. The tree’s extensive roots, along with its leaves and fruit husks, emit a substance called juglone. This substance can hinder the growth of various plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, apples, pears, and berries. It’s also best to avoid planting rhododendrons, azaleas, and lilacs nearby.
The fine grain of the black walnut wood has always been treasured by woodworkers, including my husband’s grandfather, a skilled craftsman who could build anything. Our home has some beautiful furniture crafted from black walnut boards sourced from trees he felled, such as our grandfather clock.
Several years ago, my husband experimented by planting some of the black walnuts in 4″ pots just to see what would happen. After sharing a few with those pesky squirrels who dug them out, he ended up with about a dozen black walnut trees. He transplanted them into 1-gallon pots, and later, he planted them in the ground at the back of our property. Then came the mischievous deer, using the young trees to scratch their antlers. Today, we are left with just one black walnut tree, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it will survive. One day, when we are gone, someone will cut this tree down and build something that will last another generation.
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