How To Grow Black Walnut Tree From Seed

[@nickdeoliveira6393]

My great grandfather planted an entire grove of black walnut trees as a retirement investment back in the 80s. He passed away in ‘99, but never cashed in on the lumber, as the trees were planted too close together. Up until a few years ago, my grandparents maintained the grove and thinned it out a bit to promote better growth. Despite this, the trees are still standing, and still skinny. A bit of a joke amongst family members… Long story short, my grandparents sold the property, and the trees are no longer in the family. I don’t think they’ll ever really be the cash crop they were once thought to be, although I guess they might still surprise me someday. Luckily, the couple who bought the house are very friendly and still keep in touch with my grandparents. The wife is really into gardening and gave me about two dozen nuts from pappy’s old trees to try and plant. They’re dry and still in the husk, but I’m going to try to remove the husks and soak them so I can stratify in the fridge ASAP. Should be able to plant them in the spring and avoid the squirrels altogether. Just need to worry about family members looking for real estate in the crisper drawer… Hopefully the nuts being dry already won’t render them useless!

[@growitbuildit]

That is a great story Nick. I really hope you are able to get some germination to continue your Great Grandfather's legacy.

[@zirzmokealot4600]

Its better when they are planted closer. They grow slower. The slower they grow the more heartwood you will have. Thats where the money is.

[@bobs5596]

@@zirzmokealot4600 so the old man knew what he was doing. what about english walnut wood? is that desirable? the nuts are much much easier to crack too.

[@zirzmokealot4600]

@@bobs5596 I'm sure as long as its a hardwood. Just gotta find the right person.

[@maynight2259]

Fertilizer... Put some shit around them to promote faster growth..... , I'm planting hundreds soon.. 12 feet or so appart

[@YAHaqabNatsariym2701]

I want to be one of those types of grandfathers in the comments that planted a few black walnut trees. This video will definitely help me succeed in the venture! Thanks for the valuable information. Even the Twelve feet apart advice!

[@growitbuildit]

That would be cool if you could leave a legacy to your grandkids - good luck! And thank you for the kind words, I'll try to keep putting out quality videos.

[@dewaynesearcy7107]

@@growitbuildit I have a Very specific question! I’ve got them in the pots waiting for sprouts! I have 20 of 117 up!!! How long do I wait to remove them and individually pot them?

[@growitbuildit]

@dewaynesearcy7107 I wouldn't wait long. It makes a taproot

[@dewaynesearcy7107]

Hi @@growitbuildit ! I have 32 trees of 117 nuts planted already sprouted! I separated those out as you suggested, and now I know why! Those tap roots are Long man! Anyway, some of my trees are 14” tall already, at least half of them! A few have just recently sprouted in the last few days. So here’s another question, they were all mixed, some in a bucket, some in bags,(the bucket, I discovered Did have a good amount of water in the bottom!) and were all randomly placed in 4 separate containers when I planted. I have 1 bucket that finally sprouted 1, but a bigger planter that has remained silent the entire time, is there a possibility I may lose that batch? Or should I just remain patient? Side note: previous owners clear cut our property of 7 acres several years ago, I intend on repopulating the black walnut trees! That’s why so many.

[@Run4Ever77]

​@@dewaynesearcy7107Awesome! How long would you say the tap root was on those 14" trees? Hope the planting and re-foresting goes great.

[@jimkramer4001]

My Grandparents were small when their parents homesteaded property in Oregon (I have the land patent from 1908). My Grandmothers brother planted a black walnut from a nut. It is still on the property (it was out of the family for about 25 years). I was able to purchase it in 1999 with plans to retire there. I retired in 2014 so here I am. The tree is huge. Some years very few nuts, some a pretty large number, this year is kind of in the middle. Thanks to your video I will try to grow some for the kids and grandkids.

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome Jim - and congrats on getting the homestead back. I hope it stays in your family forever.

[@slowpoke4557]

This is the kind of story that brings a smile to my heart! ❤ Thank you for sharing

[@Underthehelm]

I have planted 175 young(2 years old plants) American Black Walnut trees on my property in Bosnia ! I am planning to plant more. This video has helped me to see how can I do it by myself! Thanks alot! Greetings!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome, and good luck on your plantation!

[@Underthehelm]

@@growitbuildit thank You, very much!

[@gmanamerican5015]

Thank You!! I picked up about a dozen or so walnuts along the road last fall, got 6 good ones, over wintered per your instructions and 4 of 6 have sprouted so far!! I really appreciate your video.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - this is the kind of comment I love seeing. Good work G Man!

[@haydenwinters9717]

Do you have to water them over the winter?

[@growitbuildit]

The seeds should not dry out. If outdoors, you probably won't need to water them. If pots are stored inside a shed or garage, they may need some water.

[@gmanamerican5015]

@@haydenwinters9717 I did not water them as I had them outdoors and covered by chicken wire. After they all sprouted, and were doing really well, I transplanted into separate containers, and had them on my deck, all about a foot tall. I was really proud and satisfied till those squirrels dug em all up!! So, the squirrels dig the seedlings too. Must be some nut remnant there. Fortunately, 2 of the 6 recovered, and I will be planting them shortly, and protecting them.

[@haydenwinters9717]

@@gmanamerican5015 when you planted them in the ground how was the temperature outside? Right now for me it’s getting up to the 80s some days. Is that too hot or is it fine? Shaded area or in the sun?

[@nathanmccannon736]

I have a black walnut tree on my property that my grandfather planted over a hundred years ago. It's the biggest one I have seen in this area. I think my grandfather is responsible for all of them. It's a beautiful tree and is loaded with nuts every year. Thanks fir the info.

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome - massive champion trees are always an amazing sight

[@valerierodriguez9145]

Can I purchase some nuts please ?

[@adammalzahn7238]

“FIR” the info..🤣tree humor?

[@mathewpugh9313]

Wow! That’s worth a lot of money.

[@nathanmccannon736]

I have one as well that is biggest in area. My grandpa was big on sharing plants. I got the bug as well.

[@MultiLisa10]

When I was cleaning up my veggie bed from last year there was this little plant growing and I didn't know what it was but I kept it and added it to my new veggie bed and it's been growing good and I just found out today that it's a black walnut tree!😁 I feel blessed! Don't know if s squirrel planted it but oh well, I'm glad I just didn't throw it out!

[@growitbuildit]

LOL - I've had a ton of volunteer Black Walnut trees this year!

[@rogermartin404]

Have this video on continuous loop for a sleeping aid at night..... it works, try it! 😊

[@growitbuildit]

Dang it. Are you saying I'm boring? Just kidding.

[@victoriayamen8923]

I love black walnuts in carrot cake. 🥕 Great educational video.

[@knuckledraggingneanderthal720]

My birthday is 9/1 any chance of you baking a birthday carrot cake for me. Frosted for my sweet tooth. :)

[@ithacacomments4811]

I live in a high rise apt complex with a roof garden on the fifth floor. We have 30 raised bed garden boxes. Last Fall, the crows and squirrels teamed up to plant hundreds of black walnuts in the boxes. So many black walnut seedlings in the spring!

[@growitbuildit]

Hahaha- that is awesome teamwork. I'm amazed the squirrels didn't dig them up to eat them over the winter

[@kathykevins8717]

So informative! I almost had a black walnut tree. I have a geranium on my back deck, and this summer something else started growing beside it. After researching, I thought it might be a black walnut, but wasn’t sure. My knowledgeable friend told me a squirrel would have had to plant it there. Long story short, I transplanted it to its own pot, it was doing really well, until a squirrel came by, dug in the geranium pot, then demolished the plant in the pot beside it! Now I’m looking for the original tree!

[@growitbuildit]

Ah! Good luck Kathy - the Black Walnut tree will be one of the first to turn colors in fall. It will be yellow, and pretty easy to spot.

[@tonytrevor9779]

We have a fully mature black walnut tree grew next to my woodworking shop and house. The squirrels are constant, nuts drop in the fall on roof and in the yard. Hardhats might be usefull! The tree is very majestic but also very messy. Never found any self starting but do have horse chestnut from nearby tree. I moved some of those into containers, i know that they are not a lumber tree, just cool to watch them spout from the nut on the surface. A Mennonite friend is trying a field of black walnuts. Thanks for video. We live on north shore of Lake Ontario near Toronto.

[@growitbuildit]

Cool - sounds like you live in a neat area. Black Walnuts can be lumber trees, but they need to be tall, straight, and not have many limbs at all. And unfortunately that can be a rare thing. They are a messy tree, but one that used to be planted frequently just from the free food you would get. My uncle has 4-5 mature trees and he saves the walnuts, storing husked nuts for several years in shell. In the winter he and his wife will crack the nuts while watching tv, or just hanging out. Then, bag/freeze the meats for later use.

[@tobiasessiger615]

I've been looking for this information for years. Thank you for taking the effort and sharing it with us!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Tobias! Best of luck to you and your trees!

[@alexcuriel8340]

Great video! Thanks. My son and I just gathered several black walnut nuts. We cleaned them and put them in water overnight. Then mixed 50/50 pear moss and vermiculite. After stuck them in the refrigerator. My plan was to put them in pots in early December and set outside protected on top. Based on your video I just to confirm that is the correct approach.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Alex - sounds correct. I assume your peat moss / vermiculite was moistened. But that is what I did. Just make sure you protect from squirrels!

[@alexcuriel8340]

@@growitbuildit yes, it was.

[@alexcuriel8340]

Trying for a second year. Squirrels got mine last year even with chicken wire protection. I'm going to try planting some directly in the ground. Any advice? How deep should they be planted?

[@growitbuildit]

2" deep should be the depth.

[@alexcuriel8340]

2 out of about 15. We did find one more getting ready to break ground when we dug up the two saplings. I re-buried it and hoping for a third!

[@user-pe9gz8si8k]

I get crows planting oak trees all over the place but they don’t seem to do the same with black walnuts. So far I’ve rescued 2 oaks. In the interest of diversity I am so glad I’ve found this video.

[@growitbuildit]

Sounds good - the birds and squirrels will thank you

[@blahdeblaaah9445]

Found your videos on black walnut and sycamore and - cannot - express how easy they were for me to follow and execute myself as I watched. As we speak, thanks to your videos, I’ve got the acorns in a bowl of water for the next 24 hours and four black walnuts ready for planting (after floating to the top!). Thank you for your talents!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - I try to keep it as straight forward as I can. Good luck!

[@plekang1]

You have the thoroughness of a teacher! Thanks for the great info!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Paul! And you are very welcome!

[@larrymanley1844]

Very good information and video. Thank you for valuable information.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Larry!

[@timan2039]

I don’t plant them but the squirrels do. I have five that squirrels buried in plant pots two years ago 😁

[@growitbuildit]

Hahaha - I get sprouts of this and hickory every year

[@joannedowd3971]

We have brought a peace of land with 40 tree's on it so this was so helpful thanks for the opportunity figure out what tree's we have.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Joanne

[@garrettmendoza117]

I’ve been having a black walnut tree in my front yard out side my window for as long as I can remember. In central Texas

[@growitbuildit]

That is a nice steady food supply!

[@cmw184]

So, ive been looking for a black walnut tree around town forever. Someone offered for me to pick their walnut tree a few weeks ago, but it was an english walnut. Yesterday, i was at a used home supply store, and it just so happens that theres a massive black walnut right outside 😂 So i picked about 50 walnuts off the branches and took em home lol

[@growitbuildit]

Haha - that is how it often happens!

[@joemc111]

Nice video, the state of Maryland gave my about 150 Black Walnut trees,about 20 inches tall, over 40 years ago. Two or Three years later I sold the land, never been back to look.

[@growitbuildit]

You should go check it out! That could be a squirrel paradise.

[@mollywalsh6444]

I will be doing this! I just collected about 30 walnuts. Thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - Good luck Molly (my daughter's name too).

[@tarascott8270]

im so excited. we have great trees surrounding us. this is the first year im going to grab and grow. walnuts, and acorns and maple too.

[@growitbuildit]

Congrats Tara - good luck on growing your trees!

[@fredmackenzie6629]

Thank you! I We have wonderful row of about 16 well established trees,( it was a laneway to an old farm, back in the day) in our back woods, here in Pei :) I havent seen many new tress, sprouting, we have been here 21 years. so Im hoping to grow some myself, the smell of the seeds is amazing!

[@growitbuildit]

Sounds good Fred - I wish you the best of luck. And you are right - the husks do smell amazing. Really a unique and spicy/citrus aroma.

[@sheikhgulzar221]

Dear Madam, Can you donate black walnut seeds to our organisation .We are from Kashmir...Thanks

[@lauriegashinski5741]

This is an EXCELLENT resource for our students who are planting, stratifying, and selling tested walnuts as part of our school-run garden centre. Thank you for the clear instructions and important details re: stratification, viability, juglone, etc. Great for linking to Ontario curriculum from JK-Grade 8. Well done. Thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Laurie! If your classroom is using ipads or something similar - you can also give them the article: growitbuildit.com/black-walnut-tree-facts-juglans-nigra/ It might be more convenient

[@ELW2940]

I have 3 black walnut trees that I started from seeds several years ago. 2 are rather stunted but last fall I picked up about 15 black walnuts that the 3rd rewarded me with. Enough to have me thinking I need to germinate some others. A word of warning to those that want to try their hand at germinating them in pots…they can rapidly attach themselves to the ground with that tap root, then making them more difficult to move. If you tear off that tap root the plant may live but probably won’t mature. I’m pretty sure that’s what happened to my stunted ones. My trees are about 15 years old and the one that fruits is one of 12 or so that I germinated. Squirrels took their toll and some didn’t survive transplanting. Thanks for your informative video.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for sharing Louis - that is good info regarding taproots poking through the bottom of the pot. I've had that happen with various plants, but thankfully not any trees yet.

[@needsaride15126]

This is a great video. Thank you for posting it. I tried last year to produce seedlings and failed. I hope I have better luck this year. There's a beautiful old walnut in the back that's been there forever. The neighbor wants to cut it down. I'm hoping to get some nuts to seedling to keep the legacy of that tree going. I just want to leave a legacy when I'm gone. Plus I love watching squirrels. Again, thank you for posting this video.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words! Trees are a tough one, because you've got to get the treatments right or else you pretty much have to wait another year. But good luck this fall!

[@victorhopper6774]

you can also take nuts in the summer time crush them with the hulls on and stir them in water. after a good stirring pour the water on ground with earthworms and the worms will come out of the ground. easy fishing worms with no digging.

[@taylorpacker6363]

A squirrel stole all my grandpas walnuts he got at a farmers market one year in the 1970’s and a couple years later he noticed a sapling in his yard, turns out the squirrel planted it for him and he decided to keep it. I just inherited his house this year and the tree is huge and it’s starting to drop walnuts for the season. I plan on harvesting some of the walnuts to grow and give to various family members and plant a tree for me to start the next generation of owning the land. ❤

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome Taylor. I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck!

[@danruinsfood4002]

Tip: Easy way to remove hull, use a 1 inch pvc pipe at the end of the nut farther from tree, twist and push the 1" pvc pipe around (the sharp edges of the inner and outer side of the pipe will cut the hull right off) And thank you for this video. Our 40 year old tee that grandpa planted is old but still produces and looks like it will be uprooted once of these days and has old damage from the beetles and past years of drought.

[@growitbuildit]

Now THAT is a good idea. Thank you for the tip. Easy, robust, repeatable. And you are very welcome! I hope you can keep the tree's genetics going for many more generations. Good luck!

[@aclark30121]

We have one tree and many trees are popping up in my flower bed. I even have a large tree intertwined within my Knock out huge rose bush. Got to get it out of there somehow. I never thought about startin trees from seed--the squirrels do all that for me. I might try selling these trees online. My parent tree yields massive amounts of walnuts every year--and they are big and delicious. Thanks for the video.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome for the video - and it sounds like the squirrels are doing all the work to propagate the tree!

[@martinroncetti4134]

Great video! I appreciate your presentation format.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

I like the style of these videos, too. No baloney, very concise, and he often backs up what he says with other proven data... not just hearsay or old wive's tales.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you both! I really appreciate it!

[@SillyBethLilly]

Great information!! Boy, I would have really gone wrong without this video. Thank you!!!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Beth

[@GamingTeaParty]

One correction on composting the husk - you can. Juglone breaks down over the course of about 4-6 weeks into other chemicals. So long as you aren't planning to use the compost in the next few months, it's safe to use the husk in composting. I mention this because the husk is a rather lot of green material, and it can really bolster the total amount of compost you have.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for that info Rob. I appreciate it. I know it breaks down, but didn't really have any reference on how long it takes. Thank you.

[@haritchie3460]

Very good subject . Something I read up on few years ago on nucin juglone was not isolated until the 1850s. So I've read . friend in Missouri 10 year want to know more . Issues with some live stock and dogs at the time I was still learn . Fear of passing on bad information.

[@user-pe9gz8si8k]

Ty

[@TomSolo128]

I compost mine as well over the winter and Ive grown tomatoes and peppers in the soil

[@michaelf.3846]

How long should I stratify it in the fridge

[@rosiemaker8536]

Thank you for all of the detailed steps. The squirrels provide me more black walnut trees than I can shake a stick at so I am going to try this method with a butternut tree I discovered. 🤞🏽

[@growitbuildit]

It works for Butternut too!

[@carsthatlast441]

Great video, exactly what I was looking for. Doing my first batch of seeds this winter. Had a bumper crop of seeds here in MN this year. Thanks!

[@growitbuildit]

Glad I could help you out!

[@MightyFineMan]

Over time I collected dozens of black walnut seeds but didn’t stratify them properly (too cold and dried out). Never had a successful sprout back then. Then one day I was on I80 and found 3 black walnut seeds on the asphalt at a gas station parking lot. Now those are the 3 walnut trees growing in a lawn I am reforesting.

[@growitbuildit]

That's interesting. You found the 3 nuts in Fall? And just planted them out in the yard directly then?

[@MightyFineMan]

They were found on April 9th of this year. Therefore, they were already naturally stratified. By end of day I soaked them in about 60F water where they sat for 24 hours, then I planted them in small pots just to initially sprout to 3 to 4 inches. After a few weeks, they were planted in yard. They are doing quite well.

[@growitbuildit]

@MightyFineMan wow that is cool. I would have thought they would have dried out.

[@knuckledraggingneanderthal720]

If you know where you want the tree in your yard. Plant the nut in a tree shelter that is buried about six inches in the ground. Fill the shelter with four inches of dirt, drop the nut in and put enough dirt to cover the nut. The tree shelter will protect the nut from mice and squirrels. This saves a lot of moves and digging.

[@growitbuildit]

As long as the nut is viable, this would work very well. Really nice tip. You could also just lay down hardware cloth over the area too w/ a brick. But a tree shelter is always a good idea for keeping the trees protected for the first few years.

[@bryanschwitzke8966]

Thank you for this video. I just picked up about 20 BlackWalnut seeds from a very old Newington Plantation black walnut tree here in Summerville SC. I want to plant as many trees as I can in the woods behind our home in hopes to harvest those nuts and wood pieces in years to come.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out Bryan. Good luck on starting your trees!

[@JardinFoto]

Good information, well presented, clear and concise. Just what I was looking for, thank you.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Guy! Good luck to your trees?

[@Valerie-ut2dk]

This is exactly what I needed to find. I found some black walnut seeds along a rode while cycling and am curious to try and grow a tree or two. 5 of the 6 passed the first test of viability. If I get more than one successful start, I know somone who is doing some informal reforestation and will give them to him. Let's see what we see in the spring! Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

I'm glad I could help you out Valerie - good luck germinating them!

[@cmiller1952]

A squirrel planted my black walnut tree...I just replanted it in a better place 😉😁

[@growitbuildit]

Free trees are always a good thing in my book!

[@wolfgangdavid8121]

I threw a box full of blk. Walnuts around my deer camp in Michigan north of Evart off us10 in the state forest thirty years ago there should be some nice trees now moved to florida 25 years ago so haven’t been back to see my hunting partner passed away last year 🤷‍♂️

[@smarthome2660]

A squirrel planted 15 trees on my brothers property and they are all approx 5 feet apart in a random group. There are no other trees at all on his property so it had to be either a squirrel or a dumb person as they are too close together. I asked for at least 1 tree from them but being an a$$hole, he said no. I tried to grow 1 but the video I watched before this one had it all wrong and said the floaters were not viable. Thank you Growit Buildit for taking the time to show us this.

[@growitbuildit]

Floaters are not viable! You need sinkers!

[@TechBearSeattle]

@@growitbuildit - So NOT like matzo balls?

[@alanroberts8506]

Thank you for your time and detail. I've been looking for a video on how to start black walnut trees because we moved into our house last year and there's one on the property. I think they are absolutely gorgeous trees I just didn't exactly know the process. I truly appreciate it. I just started 5 Giant Sequoia trees tonight. I will be working on black walnuts tomorrow. ✌🏻❤️💡

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out, and congrats on your new(ish) house!

[@spiffmark]

Hi there! Thank you for this video! It's exactly what I was hoping to find. How long can you keep the walnuts in containers? I'm curious if you can keep repotting them for a year or two, or when it is vital that they must be planted in soil.

[@growitbuildit]

I've actually kept most of the ones shown in containers thus far. But the larger the container, the 'happier' the tree so to speak. Since Black Walnut has a tap-root, it is more important that these get into taller pots. But in a larger &deep container, I *think* you could keep a tap-root tree for a couple years. I'm going to over-winter some of mine to test.

[@allenfischer5878]

Very informative, great video. As a commercial nursery owner, I use Rootmaker propagation trays to eliminate taproots. Then shift them into growbags for continued excellent root development.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Good tip on the rootmaker trays.

[@levimorgan18]

Great video, thank you for this. I’m located in PA and planting a lot of native trees this year. I was wondering if I do keep these in the fridge instead of outside like you did, at what point would I move them from the fridge to the pot? I would guess around February or March? That’s what I had in mind at least because that’s what I do with Chinese chestnuts that I grow.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Levi, I'm also in PA. I would suggest March for moving to the pot. Although they probably wouldn't germinate until May.

[@levimorgan18]

Ok thank you! My next question, since you’re in PA I have to ask. Does a mild winter impact this in anyway? I was considering the fridge in the case that the winter is mild or does a mild winter not matter?

[@growitbuildit]

Well, the fridge is guaranteed temp. But I would think even a mild winter in PA would be fine. The native range of this tree extends pretty far South.

[@levimorgan18]

Thanks a lot for the replies and help!

[@lorrets9775]

I have just found a black walnut tree on my local park ! In England it's not an easy tree to buy from the garden centres . Hopefully now I know how to get them to sprout I can grow my own. Thank you

[@growitbuildit]

Wow - that is good luck for you. Good luck on starting some trees Lorret!

[@jeffskinner1226]

I would emphasize the need to protect seeds+seedlings from squirrels: they can actually smell the nuts beneath the soil and will dig up every single one with precision. Also the first year seedlings still need to protected in the same way (probably hardware cloth is best): the first year I had blackwalnut seedlings come up I thought I was safe but the squirrels dug up and destroyed all those as well.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Jeff - that is a good tip regarding the seedlings. If I may ask, did the squirrels dig them up right after planting? Or in Spring or Fall?

[@jeffskinner1226]

@@growitbuildit I planted in fall and virtually all of the seeds were dug up and eaten during the winter. A very few survived and sprouted into seedlings when it again got warm: I thought they were safe but a squirrel dug those up and took them also. I think the first year black walnut seedlings retain some of the nut underground as a kind reserve and that the squirrels know this and subsequently dig them up for food. Ever since this I leave this species in seedbeds protected for 2 years and then transplant them out elsewhere to be safe.

[@growitbuildit]

Good to know. I was wondering if it was something like you described- the nut retaining some energy reserve. Thank you for sharing your observations, as that may help someone in the future. Losing plants to deer, rabbits, squirrels is very frustrating.

[@poochie49]

Oh yes. I had a few sprouts that I planted and put on my balcony. Within a few hours thy were dug out by squirrels. I managed to salvage 2. From over 100 seeds I only had maybe a half dozen that sprouted. I kept some in the fridge and some outside protected from the squirrels. I was disappointed on the small success rate in sprouting.

[@roots2agarden857]

I was cleaning around my potted fruit tree and saw this growing out and thought it was a weed. When pulled and saw the walnut, I was happy but we have no walnut trees in this area only maple trees. Our busy squirrels have been digging in the containers and 2 seasons later I got this. Thanks for sharing this is very helpful.

[@growitbuildit]

Ha! That is awesome. Squirrels are such funny, and busy creatures.

[@roots2agarden857]

@@growitbuildit Glad I came across your channel, new subscriber now. I will checkout some of your other videos as well. Take care.

[@bobbarclay3203]

As one who lives surrounded by mature black walnut trees, I have a suggestion. Don't plant these trees anywhere you might have to run a lawnmower, unless you plan to spend an hour or so picking up big hard green walnut husks before you start mowing. Trust me, you dont want to mow over those husks. As an amateur woodworker I love black walnut. As a homeowner with lots of these trees, not so much. They are actually kind of ugly as far as trees go. My next door neighbor cut all hers down and sold them.

[@ryanstroup9693]

Second this !!! Do not plant these trees anywhere close to your house. They are a complete mess!!!

[@steveyork8069]

I just set my mower on the highest setting,I prefer tall grass anyway and I have 17 bw trees on 1 acre and I don’t even like the nut,but I do have big squirrels that I eat on all year long.🐿

[@gsp0113]

I'm sure you're correct as far as the lawnmowing goes. In terms of the tree's appearance, I have a fondness for black walnuts largely because their silhouette against the sky brings to mind so many 18th and 19th century landscape painters (see 9:05 in this video, for an example). Black walnuts have always been an important part of American and European landscape paintings -- I suppose because they're often bordering rivers, which are often painted -- and, for that reason, I'm fond of them.

[@jimkasianides5676]

I just run right over the nuts never had a problem I have 3 trees in the backyard don't really have time to pick up all those nuts

[@offshoreman71]

Just make a summertime game by mowing when your friends are visiting and play "dodge nut" ! Lmao

[@stevemamooshka3425]

Thanks! I just picked up a bunch of walnuts, with any luck I'll have walnut seedlings next spring.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - good luck Steve!

[@anidaralopez5676]

thank you so much. I know for a fact I have a black walnut tree in my back yard....a young one...but it has become so overgrown I won't go back there without some snake gaters on. Did have a really old, really big black walnut. My spouse (from Brooklyn) shortly after we moved here to the country, decided that one of the old black walnut trees was dead........so HE CUT IT DOWN! OMG! THEN he GAVE THE WOOD AWAY to some guy for a rick of firewood. Next time we saw that guy he had a brand new truck....the trunk of that tree was about 2+ feet wide. Made me sick.

[@growitbuildit]

A 2' Diameter old Black Walnut tree could have a lot of value depending on how straight and free of knots it was. Especially if he could deliver the logs to a local sawmill himself. Giving that log away hurts.....

[@MaskOfAgamemnon]

I'm growing a healthy and precocious gang of saplings thanks to your video. Ty for your channel. 🙂

[@growitbuildit]

This is the type of comment that I love hearing! Nice work.

I have killed my willow tree by planting a black walnut next to it. Be carefull with that.

[@mathewpugh9313]

Plant 2 or more Paw Paw trees next to it. Most Paw Paw trees are found growing under the Black Walnut canopy.

[@ian.notasianboy]

Somehow, I ordered a wisteria seedling on eBay and 5 days later I saw some plant grow on its pot so I took it out and saw it had a nut looking seed so I planted it and tried to see what it was until I saw this video, thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome!

[@davidthegood]

That was an excellent demonstration. Good work.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you David! I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm a big fan of your work too.

[@davidthegood]

@@growitbuildit Thank you. I re-posted this video last night as a community post. Planting black walnuts on my list of things to do today. Your step-by-step was very well done. Nice to see results.

[@michaelbishop1863]

Thank you bro. This help me out a lot. I will be planning some soon. Ain't goin to have any problems with the squirrels, every sense I cooked up a mess of fries and squirrels dumpling , they run to the back woods and they give me that look.

[@growitbuildit]

Lol - that is definitely one way to handle it Michael!

[@TM-ro7lh]

It takes about 7 years for black walnuts to produce nuts. Good video. I have a .5 mile driveway and planted 300 trees last fall. Be interesting to see the germination rate.

[@growitbuildit]

Wow! Starting a business?

[@TM-ro7lh]

@@growitbuildit just making the driveway great again after the utility company took out wind break of 35 Norway spruce.

[@growitbuildit]

Ah...very good!

[@david-v2t8b]

i have the opportunity to re forest a 15 acre plot, this advice is bang on, i have the seeds, thank you subscribed and look forward to learning more from you

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I've got a lot of videos that will be of help. I've got more info on my website than videos for various species too.

[@michaelbishop1863]

Thank you bro. This is very very helpful. Very knowledgeable and simple to understand. We have a Black walnut tree out back that my Granddad planted 70 years ago. It's been doing for a few year. Every time we think it the last year, but it put out 12 nuts on the ground. I got them and I'm fixing to cut them open and put them in water. I didn't know any of this till I watched your channel. You are a life saver. Again ti thank you for your hard work and knowledge.

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome Michael - best of luck to you! I really hope you can get some successful germination from the nuts from that tree. Make sure you protect them from squirrels the first year! I suggest plastic tree shelters like this - www.amleo.com/max-grow-tube-tree-shelters-60-inch-length-bundle-of-5/p/MG60?msclkid=817fe57bd2c0137b1f78864038bff86c I just read a comment from another viewer who had a lot of trees, and after memorial day he removed his cages. The squirrels dug up every single tree.

[@ironsales5669]

Thanks very good information... Just picked up a large track of land and I was planning on buying some saplings but now I think I'll go look to see if I have any growing wild first.

[@growitbuildit]

You're welcome - I hope you already have some growing, as that way you may be able to harvest some nuts for food right now.

[@Mrs.Silversmith]

Thanks for the info. I had found a few of these in the yard and didn't know what they were until recently. Nice to know I could use them to grow a few trees if I wanted to. Maybe I will try it.

[@growitbuildit]

It's kind of fun to grow things from seed - just to learn how it all works.

[@daveanderson9928]

Thanks - useful and helpful. I found a black walnut source where a property owner raked them up to prevent damage to mulching blades of lawnmower. I got two 50 plastic garbage barrels and each 5 gallon bucket removed contained about 100 black walnuts unhusked. So that 1000 unhusked per barrel. I had 2000 total. I decided to winter sow them - didn't want to stratify and plant in spring - or even test viability - too many walnuts to be fussy. Playing the percentages of losing a large number to squirrels or chipmunks, I sowed directly just before first snow - waited until late autumn. Used a stone bar to create a 6-10" deep holes and pushed walnuts into holes until the repetitive motion and hitting lots of rocks was too strenuous so I scattered into sunny south-facing openings amid logging slash - dispersing them far and wide in our own woodlot to introduce walnuts to this northern location. There is one lone 50' tall walnut tree growing along the dirt road that leads to our tree farm / forest so I am pretty sure they will thrive here... Next year may try again by planting in pots after stratifying to cold in barn or garage loft in buckets. The idea here is assisted migration in face of warming climate.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Dave - I bet you are going to get a decent number of trees from your efforts. Hopefully you even get some further assistance from squirrels burying nuts for you, but never finding them this winter. Sounds like you've got a large operation going.

[@phillipholmes4466]

I have good success collecting walnuts and putting them in a large pile near an area i have cleared let the squirrels plant them also have had spectacular young trees grow in the pile growing in decaying husks.

[@growitbuildit]

For sure squirrels are one of the best tree propagators out there!

[@bertcooper6565]

I could not have learned more. if I was in a classroom. Thank you

[@growitbuildit]

Wow that is a nice compliment! Thank you Bert!

[@randyjones4044]

cleaning some flower beds out, i found one walnut and seven pecan trees, thanks rocky

[@growitbuildit]

Lol - I've pulled a lot of Walnut trees this Spring.

[@tylergauthier4608]

I watched this video last fall, and tried it out, planted 15 or 16. Hoping to have something in the two months or so. 😁 -North Western Michigan

[@growitbuildit]

Good luck Tyler! Mine germinated in May, and I'm in zone 6 for reference. When germinating tree seeds, or almost any native seed, it pays to have patience.

[@tylergauthier4608]

@@growitbuildit Thank you! :)

[@winthrop1630]

Looking forward to planting as many as I can

[@growitbuildit]

Glad I could help you out!

[@patriciareynolds2729]

with all the rain in tenn. we have bumper crop of walnuts, esp. along the creeks!

[@growitbuildit]

Nice - that is good food. I love eating Walnuts and Shagbark Hickory.

[@bob6927]

Thank you for all the videos you make I have grown many different native trees thanks to them

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Bob - I like hearing that! There will be more tree videos to come in the coming years.

[@LeylaGouaho]

This video will definitely help me succeed in the venture !

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - I'm very happy that I am able to help you out. Good luck!

[@MF-fc5vk]

Great vid thanks. Picked up two from the ground in the uk today, gonna try to germinate them . Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome, and good luck!

[@mayeerahbrits9160]

I enjoyed.. Thsnks. May from South Africa

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Mayeerah - good luck!

[@TrwWpzn]

Thorough yet concise video

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful

[@cliqboom1088]

Good rundown, my grandpa used to make a "fish shocker" solution by soaking the husks in a big barrel.

[@growitbuildit]

Please tell me more - what is a fish shocker? Like dump it in a pond and all the fish are stunned/float to the top?

[@cliqboom1088]

@@growitbuildit Basically, yes. He would put it in the deep holes in a spillway from the lake. I was really young so don't remember the exacts, but he would pour the bucket in an area maybe 1/5ac and pretty still water. It wouldn't take long then we would net the fish and and have a fish fry. Except for the green skin and the twitch it never effected any of us. JK, there were never any issues that I remember with the fish being different than the others that we caught normally.

[@cliqboom1088]

Of course, this was back in the late 70's so things weren't as anal with policy and fright as they are now.

[@bennettpeterson5992]

Excellent....thorough and highly informative....Thank you so very much

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Bennett. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@alenahawke475]

Thank you. Im definitely going yo grow a black walnut tree now ❤

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - good luck Alena!

[@johnstrong6593]

Thank you for the great info👍 I live offgrid and now I can add more beauty to my place!! Awesome job!!🙏

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome John - it is a really cool tree.

[@vespa90ss]

ciao da Firenze. Ti ringrazio per questo video molto dettagliato. Proprio ieri ho raccolto una dozzina di noci sotto un albero di noce americana. Appena possibile li semino. Oggi è il 31 ottobre e la stagione autunnale è già in atto qui in Toscana con temperature notturne che scendono a 5° gradi centigradi. Ormai l'inverno è alle porte. Ti ringrazio ancora e ti invio un caro saluto dall'Italia. Beppe :-)

[@growitbuildit]

Ciao signor Beppe, sono felice che tu abbia trovato un albero di noce nero in Italia. Vi auguro buona fortuna, e spero che tutto stia bene nella Bella Firenze.

[@michaelmartin2089]

Hey Joe, great video! After suffering from the August 10, 2020 Derecho here in Linn County, Iowa, we're on the mend and this video will help with additional planting of our tree canopy for the future. Thanks again, much appreciated! MRM

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Michael - that Derecho was horrible. I saw lots of video and pictures. Crazy.

[@elderfarms]

Same here!! Linn county. I’m right outside of Fairfax.

[@inharmonywithearth9982]

I just take a walnut still in the husk in Autumn. Put it where I want a tree. Stomp it in the ground. Put a stake there so I remember. In late Spring it is a healthy sapling everytime. So simple.

[@TopoPilot]

This was a very helpful post. I plan on planting around fifty throughout the property we just bought next season. I'm guessing I will need to protect them from the deer and other critters until they are big enough to withstand the hungry mouths that will come a-nibbling? Your video was well done. Thank you kindly.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you - I'm glad you found it helpful. And your instincts are right - I would protect the trees from deer. It is not worth the risk, as you don't want to have to start over!

[@claudetrahan8291]

Thank you for the video.I'm from Shawinigan Québec and black wanuts are going well by here

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - and thank you for the kind words Claude. I'm happy you enjoyed the video - good luck!

[@victormcox]

I've tried to direct sow walnuts forever with no luck! Probably squirrels. I'm going to try your planter option with screen. Too old to reap the benefit but maybe the grand kids can laugh at me!🤣 Thanks for the video.

[@growitbuildit]

You're welcome - better late than never!

[@404crew4]

3rd time I’ve watched this video and I pick up on another detail each time. I realized I’m also in zone 6 and close to zone 7. I had been impatiently waiting for my trees to sprout and I realize now that it will be at least another month out.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - it changes year to year, as warmer Spring earlier, should mean earlier germination. If you really want to find out if they are good, you could possibly dig down to the nuts, gently. They germinate in what is known as 'hypogeal', in that the root will sprout long before you see any stem/leaves. But be very careful doing this, as if you damage the root, you will likely kill it.

[@404crew4]

@@growitbuildit thank you. I think I will just let them be and not risk since I have put in some time and effort into them. We just had a fairly heavy frost last week so it may take a few weeks for the weather pattern to become stable.

[@timothylongmore7325]

A client/friend planted a couple hundred potted saplings. I stomped some wintered over nuts in my grove. My trees are about fifteen feet high now and will probably start producing soon. I drove by her place the other day and didn't see a sign of any. I've started them in potts before and would suggest to use that method as a last resort. I'd just winter them over in a secure bed and plant direct. By the way I'm planting for the future syrup business.

[@Slafix]

I didn't know i have to storage nuts in a cold place, i kept them at room temperature. So, from 1 bucket of nuts, germinated only 2 pcs. Usefull video

[@growitbuildit]

Sometimes you can get away with minimal to no stratification. But with Black Walnut, you really need to give them their 'cold' treatment.

[@amandadee6969]

Great video and very informative! Thanks for sharing this! My neighbors have a black walnut tree that I’m going to steal a few nuts from. I only want to plant one tree in my backyard for the squirrels to have food because I love watching them 🐿️❤ I plan on leaving my seeds in the fridge all winter and then planting them outside in a bucket in the spring per your instructions.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - good luck starting your trees Amanda!

[@kodyleatherdale4608]

I recently found a hazelnut tree in Northern Ontario. I needed to look some stuff up. The plant and fruit itself seems related to citrus

[@cindyhamiton6040]

Excellent video and information!!!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Cindy!

[@paulineroyadair3505]

Thank you for this video! packed with valuable information that is correct. Thanks Roy

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Roy! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@martingagne3136]

Thx for this vidéo i was looking forward on planting Black Walnut on my land now i know how😁

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@leemikle2242]

I have a gravel road that runs a mile back to the hardwoods on the south side of my house. I have a black walnut tree that’s very good for shade and pretty when the leaves change. It’s a pain to clean up after so that’s why I only allow 1 in my yard but I’m thinking about doing this method with 60 pots. I’ll cold store them in fridge like you did then November plant the seed in it’s own pot and may after germination, carefully remove the plant and the soil it’s growing in and plant them in the ground. I plan on Planting them 70 feet apart in a straight line in an old fence line. Someday that road will be beautiful

[@growitbuildit]

It sounds like that will be a beautiful street. Most of the trees we plant are for the next generation.

[@leemikle2242]

@@growitbuildit I understand that but if I do it for me Then I may as well not put any in the ground

[@growitbuildit]

I'm with you. I plant for the future people. I just hope they are appreciated

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

Very timely video for me... I mistakenly thought I had thornless locust on our new place until I started seeing what sort-of look like ugly round pears growing all over them :D. Turns out, yep, we have a couple healthy, mature black walnut trees and a few more small ones that I guess grew from seed naturally.

[@growitbuildit]

The nuts are delicious - you just need to have the right process for processing them. I have an Uncle who has it down to a science.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

@@growitbuildit From what I've read so far, I may not be processing huge quantities of the nuts! Sounds like a lot of work. But I'll keep studying.

[@kepler180]

great video my dude

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ManuelJimenez-ve7lq]

Nuez negra o juglar negra también lo hay en parques al sur de Chile, tengo en casa....me fascina este arbol y sus variantes

[@jody2873]

Great video and thanks for the summary again at the end👍

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome - I'm glad you enjoyed it. Good luck!

[@bryangrim6021]

You put together a great video!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Bryan! Glad you enjoyed it

[@Reshtarc]

I got an 80 foot one here . Squirrels plant many nuts every year in my raised garden beds. Every spring i have to pull them up to get rid of them. I have trans planted dozen and have trees from 5 years to less that one year old. The oldest trees are producing nuts. The main tree is closer to 60 years and drops a large amount of nuts every year.

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome - you could probably have a protein supply stored up for years!