Food Forest Guild - Black Walnut Example

[@jennifersurrette4219]

Plants for the win!!!

[@jemdillon3620]

Our woods are dominated by old black walnut trees, and near them you find paw paw trees and black raspberry vines. Lots of black and honey locusts as well.

[@edibleacres]

Honey Locust does very well around our Walnuts. We've added a number of them and they are certainly happy. Thanks for the notes.

[@brittanymcdonaldbarr1106]

Good to know!!

[@gulleytractffffoodforestfa9580]

We have a really really old black walnut on our river bank and the native mulberries are bigger than any others on our property! trunks only feet from the giant black walnut

[@edibleacres]

Very good to read. We've added Mulberries around in this space but they haven't taken off I think more because there just isn't the light for them!

[@holisticheritagehomestead]

That’s great! We are huge advocates of growing mulberry trees. Good to know that they grow well near black walnuts, which we also have.

[@richardvarley1974]

Just found the channel. I am enjoying your videos very much. Wanted to chime in. Years ago when we had black walnut, on some other family property, we found that some varieties of native plum trees did well in relatively close proximity. God Bless.

[@edibleacres]

That is good to know. We want to grow out a bunch more plum trees so that is a helpful note.

[@HaphazardHomestead]

When foraging for wild Black Raspberry, I've always found the best patches under, or right near, Black Walnut trees.

[@ericcesare9609]

+1 to black raspberry. We have a budding, productive patch thriving on the west side of our largest black walnut.

[@BlightStorm]

You're the best for giving life advice to any gardener, which everyone should be on this garden planet. But that's another story. Thank you for all your delicate notes 🍄❤️

[@lisahoche4017]

Thanks for posting this informative video. We have a line of Black walnuts along a boundary of our space. We desire to be the best steward of what we have been given. The amount of food and medicine the trees provide is amazing. I am currently making some green black walnut hull liquor and green black walnut hull molasses. I am patiently waiting to try these additions to our black walnut larder.

[@edibleacres]

Very cool!

[@ellisonrepair]

I have Aronia melanocarpa, Rosa rugosa and Hippophae rhamnoides all do well under black walnut

[@edibleacres]

That is great to know. We had Seabuckthorn growing under the walnut but they didn't make it.... I suspect it may have been more about shade than juglone.

[@claytonhalligan2067]

I once found a wild paw paw patch on a riverbed near paw paw Michigan, and when I looked up it was a canopy of black walnut trees. Coincidence? I think not.

[@edibleacres]

Great first hand note here

[@edscukas9689]

Beauty berry also grows very well under a black walnut. I have a large shrub under a BW that was planted before I purchased the property and it has done very well. I also have a contorted Mulberry within roughly 10-15 feet of a BW and it’s doing very well.

[@MelanchthonCreekFarm]

Thank you so much for this content, this is very exactly what I have been looking for. I have black walnuts lining both sides of my property and I plan on harvesting the nuts but I also wanted to use the areas underneath them for a synthetic type food forest.

[@ponypetedm]

I have an 80’ walnut under it we have apart from a walnut tree nursery (about 40 young trees) young almond trees, two different varieties of orange, pomegranate, peach, lemon, lime, olives all seem to be doing well, I have a bunch of broccoli that is thriving in walnut mulch from fall leaves, I would say they are somewhat limiting but not a must get rid of, great video as always.

[@johnrobholmes]

Thanks for sharing! Your efforts really are reaching a critical mass of plenty!

[@wilderfarmstead]

On the land I steward I have found Mulberries of all kinds to grow better the closer they are in proximity to Black Walnut.

[@bryanbeast8662]

Thanks for some guilding ideas to go with juglone producers!

[@edibleacres]

Any time!

[@emilybh6255]

Green Black Walnut hulls are a great anti-parasitic

[@niceglass6484]

Thanks for another great video

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

We love our black walnuts, we have maybe 30 of them. This was an excellent video for us, for honestly, the only things we have been able to grow under them are parsnips (!), Turkish Rocket, and some herbs.

[@edibleacres]

Keep trying other fun plants!

[@princessLailasmom]

I have halesia carolina aka silver bell tree under mature walnut trees with no issue. The young seed pods are delicious. They suffer no ill effects from the black walnut that I can see.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Great information on that guild.

[@edibleacres]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandylee1717]

Fascinating

[@hanginlaundry360]

I have a ton of B.W., will watch with interest!

[@thehillsidegardener3961]

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is another one that we have growing REALLY close to several walnuts and it seems to be producing fine. I also have a honeysuckle nearby which is worth mentioning that it seems perfectly happy. Of course black locust just doesn't care either.

[@edibleacres]

Black Locust for sure, honeysuckle for sure... I tried Honeyberry as an analog but they weren't thrilled with it :(. Good to know on sour cherry, we have some dwarf types we may explore, as well as wild plums since those seem incredibly happy wherever they go!

[@thehillsidegardener3961]

@@edibleacres That's a good point, I'd have assumed honeyberries would be happy given their kinship to honeysuckle. I am still struggling to get honeyberries established anywhere in this hot dry weather so I don't think I'll risk anywhere near walnut then. Though we have only Carpathian, or European, English, or whatever they are called, no black, and the juglone effect may not be do pronounced. Still, there are abiding myths here about walnuts, too, so there must be some kind of issue with them

[@vonries]

BTW a bit off subject but I love that yellow tie dye tee shirt. It looks good on you. Back to normal comments.

[@hakdov6496]

Other fruit trees that should do well around walnuts are mulberry, American plums, and American persimmons.

[@edibleacres]

Thank you for sharing your notes here, much appreciated!

[@EveEmshwiller]

Thank you! I have a bunch of pits of American wild plums, so I'd like to try sowing them under the black walnuts.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

I find it interesting that all of those along with black walnut are native to North America, can grow well in similar conditions... and have been around much longer than any self-proclaimed gardening experts who tell us this or that just can't be done ;)

[@frederickheard2022]

My currants do extremely well under black walnut.

[@EveEmshwiller]

I planted several kinds of currants and gooseberries not far from black walnuts, but they aren't doing well. I had read that Ribes are juglone tolerant, so maybe that isn't their problem, but I am not sure what is their problem. Maybe too much sun, and poor soil, but I wouldn't expect them to be dwindling away as badly as they are, in only their second year in that location. I may need to try some currants elsewhere to see if I can figure out their problem.

[@TwistedRootsVanVelzerPress]

I've got some Butternuts this year ! :) so excited.

[@tinnerste2507]

Me too can you tell me if they taste closer to walnuts or more like pecans?

[@Tsuchimursu]

I had no luck last year but I will try again this fall to get my hands on black walnuts. Hard to find in Finland. I would love to trial them in my short summer to see if I could get them to survive and make at least some crop in the future...

[@pcvorholzer]

Red mulberries thrive under black walnut. In fact I think the crop and flavor is improved

[@ThomiBMcIntyre]

I have a non-fruiting hybrid walnut as a street tree, and have been trying different things near it. The old crabapple about 20’ from it has been struggling, but seems happy to be grafted over to northern spy. Suckers/saplings from the crab do very well with named apple grafts, but anything on dwarfing rootstock dies or the graft just doesn’t take at all within 30’. I have elderberry and a hickory sapling doing just ok nearby, and a wegelia (sp?) ornamental bush that is distinctly unhappy and due to be moved this fall. Annual veg in the brassica family do well, but nightshades are sad. Herbs are kind of hit or miss, though the lemon balm that goes crazy elsewhere doesn’t show up under the drip line of the walnut. And my roses LOVE the walnut and are actually tangling with lower branches. I planted day Lillie’s around the base and they don’t flower despite plenty of sun. Proximity seems to be a big component. Pretty fascinating stuff!

[@edibleacres]

Wow, so many experiments and notes here, thank you SO MUCH!

[@aron8949]

Every black walnut I’ve ever seen growing is always surrounded by other trees and vines. I’ve found the conventional knowledge such as black walnut not being compatible with others to not be the full story.

[@yLeprechaun]

Usually, right? I wonder why humans lean towards nay, rather than yay.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Very nice!

[@jamep1]

I have some just fruit-bearing age black walnuts on the edge of my property. Planning to expand my forest into what is now semi-feral "lawn." In my planning for next spring - something striking to me is the overlap in compatible species for white oak and black walnut. I'm planning to have black walnut guilds that tie into white oaks before transitioning into something else (yet unplanned, but my canvas is blank with just a feral-ized traditional lawn)

[@johnstonj92]

Super cool, being probably the most hardy of the nuts for a canopy tree here in zone 4b Canada this gives me something to work with. Elders and autumn olives would be great!!!. If I could get a pawpaw to ripen here this would be a great guild!!. What about cornelian cherry!!!???

[@ditavizoso6918]

Love it! Going hands-on and trying instead of just assuming. I wonder how often we simply perpetuate and generalise from very limited experiences. I may have seen it and forgotten it, but.. have you experimented with any berries? And leafy crops? Just thinking of a couple of extra layers... Thank you! Amazing as always. I've missed this channel!

[@edibleacres]

Thanks for your notes Dita. In the berry realm it was Black Cap Raspberry that seemed to do the absolute best. Certainly more options to explore. Leafy crops... no, haven't explored any where near as deeply as we could!

[@MartinaSchoppe]

what I'm wondering is: has anyone actually ever tested, how much juglon is exudated by trees in various age groups. Intuitively I'd think, that it makes most sense to exude lots of juglon at a young age, when there is competition. And maybe later, when stressful situations (weather, pests, disturbance...) occur. But why would a "grown up" Walnut have to pump out lots and lots of it, when all it needs "to do" is shading out the competition?

[@ericcesare9609]

I've watched and read some similar hypothesis regarding juglone production in mature trees, that stress to the tree may be a trigger to juglone production, and it you might have peaceful coexistence for a decade or more before a stressor to the black walnut causes ill effects on surrounding vegetation. Certainly interesting to speculate on and I hope we'll see studies in years to come that help shed light on juglone production and effects in a variety of healthy habitats!

[@EveEmshwiller]

One anecdotal observation to agree with your speculation: Several years ago when I had a row of young blueberry shrubs along a fence at the edge of my lot, I noticed that one of the blueberries wasn't doing well, whereas the other 7 were fine. Finally I noticed the young black walnut seedling, probably in its second year or possibly third, right behind that one blueberry plant. I hadn't noticed it as it where it was in among a chain-link fence. Once I removed the seedling walnut (sorry, baby walnut!), the blueberry recovered and is now doing fine, and is nearly as tall as I am.

[@danielsmith336]

I am really considering replacing my two chestnut trees and a silver maple with walnuts, probably grafted heartnuts. The understory (65 ft long western fence-line) is already a row of pawpaws and I'm not impressed with the apples or pear tree (southern fence-line) that would potentially be within the root zone. Too much pest pressure with all of the ornamental pear trees in the neighborhood keeping the curculio and fruit moth populations high. Kind of sucks because I have spent years trialing lots of grafts for cedar apple rust and scap resistance to avoid needing to rely on spraying. But all of the fruit get damaged. It doesn't matter if I bag the fruit, use clay spray or diligently remove affected fruit. I planted the maple 30 years ago as a shade tree but it's roots are too invasive. The chestnut trees planted in 2017 are so-so nut quality plus they will soon be hanging over two neighbors yards. Bad placement on my part. Both tolerate my less than manicured yard but I doubt they would tolerate chestnut burrs falling into theirs. Luckily neither grow anything besides grass so walnut roots in their yards won't be an issue. I just haven't fully convinced myself to start cutting yet. I'll likely leave the apples until they show signs of juglone stress. If they do, elaeagnus or more pawpaws will take their place. Plus I have apples and pears in the front yard that I could graft the back yard varieties onto.

[@williamhad]

Does juglone inhibit only the growth of trees? Or also grasses? Do mushrooms grow in the root zone of these trees? Thanks

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Good info thanks

[@karensands5044]

I really appreciate your videos so much! I would like to purchase seabuckthorn from you a female and male cutting. Will you have these available to purchase tomorrow as well? I have learned so much from these videos thank you for all you do!

[@k.r.5400]

Black walnuts! This is for engagement.

[@holisticheritagehomestead]

Great video! Very helpful for me. If I can get some affordable paw paw trees, I would definitely like to grow them. We decided to plant black raspberries, which are a part of our very new food forest project, in the area close to a black walnut tree. We have other black walnuts on our property as well. One beautiful black walnut tree is close to our food forest and hangs over our pond. We hope to stock this pond with fish. Random question for whoever: I know many KZbinrs are very knowledgeable... If we stock this pond with fish, does anyone know if the black walnut tree or any parts of the tree, would be toxic to the fish? Would those fish be toxic to us if we ate them?

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

I wanted to know this answer. When I searched, I found: "An efficient method of procuring fish is to crush husks from hickory nuts or black walnuts and throw them into the water to poison the fish. The poison works quickly and allows you to stay out of sight until it takes effect. It kills a number of fish at once, but it will not affect the person who eats the animals." Posting in case it's helpful and/or someone responds with more/better information or experience.

[@holisticheritagehomestead]

@@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207 very interesting! Thank you for sharing that information.

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

@@holisticheritagehomestead 😊

[@kroegermarkus1170]

Thank you for this very useful observation. I may try this here in Germany although none of my PawPaw seeds have germinated.

[@edibleacres]

Good luck to you!

[@maggiehumble7822]

My property is covered with black walnut trees,never seen a pawpaw tree anywhere..

[@k.r.5400]

Do you have a black walnut cracking recommendation? They're too hard for our cheap hand nutcracker.

[@lisahoche4017]

We have a black walnut cracker from Stark Bro's. It does the job. There are other crackers out there that work just as good. I purchased from Stark Bro's with a credit. Otherwise, I would have probably purchased elsewhere. But there is no fault in the cracker. Enjoy the delicacy of the black walnut!

[@EveEmshwiller]

Alan Bergo recommended "Grandpa's Goody Getter" and I ordered one, but haven't tried it yet. I'll look for the video.

[@doombird7977]

02:35 - a quick unexpected trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

[@edibleacres]

I had to check the video to see what you mean, ha!

[@yLeprechaun]

Sean, do you have any experience with persimmon beneath Black Walnut? I ask because persimmon and pawpaw seem to be mentioned as a good pair, but I have no experience with either.

[@edibleacres]

I've heard from other folks that persimmon is compatible with Black Walnut. I believe we have a happy one or two of them growing near Walnut but I don't remember exactly... Worth trying if you have the plants

[@robb5984]

A black walnut question, if anyone has a moment... How old is too old (or too large) to transplant a black walnut? A friend's property is *loaded* with black walnut trees of various ages and sizes, I've been welcomed to take any/all that I want to bring home with me to plant out, but I don't want to transplant a tree just to have it wither and die. I can grow them from seed, but I wouldn't mind having a head start with a more mature tree. Fall is quickly approaching, so I want to act soon.

[@edibleacres]

You would never want to dig them up and transplant when they have leaves, so late fall is the earliest to transplant. If the tree is more than 3' tall the roots may be 3' or more deep. You can cut roots when you transplant them but it is ideal to keep that to a minimum. Try moving a few AND also start a bunch from seed!

[@robb5984]

@@edibleacres Thanks for the advice, I'll do my best to keep the stress on the trees to a minimum, as well as start seeds. Also, FYI, the mid-season elder cuttings you advised me about came out great! 12 of them are thriving. The hardwood did better than the softwood. Since the mother plant is now gone (due to harvesting topsoil on the golf course), I'm going to take half the rooted cuttings and put them back where their mother was.

[@aliannarodriguez1581]

Slightly off topic but maybe someone here will have some thoughts on the taste of black walnuts. The squirrels have seeded black walnuts all around and I eagerly awaited the crop of the oldest tree. Last year I collected, cleaned, and finally cracked open a number of walnuts from that tree. It wasn’t just that it tasted bad, it smelled and tasted like a vat of toxic chemicals. The closest comparison I could make is that it tasted like car engine oil smells. No way could I eat something my mouth was telling me was a non-food. And yet the squirrels gobbled up the nuts like they weren’t poisonous at all. I even left them a cracked nut I had already tasted to see if I had gotten some bad ones. Nope, they ate that too. Anyone have any words of wisdom on this? I’m terribly disappointed.

[@clobberelladoesntreadcomme9920]

I don't know if your nuts were rotten or something but I liked the strong, weird, resinous smell of the walnut husks, though they did remind me of paint thinner mixed with perfume a little bit. Did you taste any?

[@llynnuu6902]

I have access to Paw Paw seeds and will try to grow some under my walnut trees. Any tips? I have also found a small Paw Paw tree that I would love to move. Is it possible to relocate them with success in the fall?

[@NnJoGg]

I’ve read that paw paws don’t transplant well. Maybe it has tender taproot.

[@justinskeans3342]

How does the paw paw do being topped? Growing some in an urban setting

[@edibleacres]

I can't say I know. I would suspect they would not like it very much but I also have no direct experience

[@justinskeans3342]

@@edibleacres Thanks Shawn just ordered few from ya can't wait to get them in the ground.

[@globalpanorama]

Hello i have a land of chandler type 9 years old wallnuttrees. And some other.j need assistance for ..

[@JeffRaimer]

Randangle!

[@gloriaamandajimenezjimenez8709]

Saludos cordiales desde Ecuador, por favor poner subtitulos en español. Gracias por compartir

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

🤗

[@triciascott9254]

I abhore black walnuts. The stump in my yard has killed every plant and lawn. Lilacs, birch, willows and a plethora of perennials. All stunted or dead on one side of my yard..

[@edibleacres]

Sounds like exploring some of the plants we shared as well as what folks shared in the comments would be of real value to your landscape.

[@triciascott9254]

@@edibleacres my yard was well planned out. I don't want edibles in my yard other than what I grow out back. It's just not feasible. I'll be tearing everything out next year and forced to put in hardscape instead of plants.

[@StormJoltTV]

Have you done a video talking about the toxicity of paw paws?

[@peterellis4262]

What toxicity?

[@yLeprechaun]

Huh?

[@jacobwenzler3615]

Zappadoodle

[@Michael_McMillan]

I think you need to speak louder. All those bugs in the background are competing with you. :D

[@edibleacres]

:)