Walnut Tree Makes for Great Yard Landscaping

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The problem with walnuts

For all the wonderful products we derive from the black walnut tree, it is not without its drawbacks. Walnut and butternut trees get part of their scientific name, Juglans, from a chemical they produce called “juglone.” Juglone is an allelopathic chemical, meaning it inhibits the growth of other plants in the vicinity of the tree, reducing competition for water and nutrients. While not all plants are sensitive to juglone, tomatoes, potatoes, hydrangeas, blueberries and apple trees are very sensitive.

Horses seem to be sensitive to black walnuts as well, often developing respiratory problems when exposed to pollen and fallen leaves of this tree. Bedding material that contains black walnut shavings has also been shown to cause inflammation of the hooves in horses. Dogs have also gotten sick from eating the seeds and chewing on the hulls of black walnuts.

Of course, many folks with black walnut trees close to their homes complain about the large nuts falling in the fall. To them it represents one more hassle in maintaining their yard. Black walnuts are also difficult to crack open, owing to their thick hulls, and most people don’t want to bother with them. 

Walnuts for the future

While black walnut trees are not the major source of furniture and other products that they were two centuries ago, demand for this remarkable tree and its many products remains high. Having black walnut trees on your land or planting a large stand of them could potentially produce a steady source of income for years to come. As with most hardwood species, black walnut trees take many years to mature and may not be ready for harvest in the landowner’s lifetime. They may, however, represent a significant legacy for children or grandchildren, while providing a variety of other marketable products for landowners.

John Marshall teaches environmental and safety technology and biology at Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up on a small farm in northern Alabama and has never lost his love of the land. John, his wife, three children, a dog, a cat and a parakeet live in the small town of Benton.

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