Ruqayyah Snyder
Walnuts are one of the oldest tree foods known to man, dating back to 7000 BC. They are incredibly nutritious and have delicious nutty flavours. Walnut trees can grow to impressive heights of 15 metres or taller, so they require a lot of space and are ideal for country estates rather than suburban gardens. They thrive in cool, reasonably moist climates with well-drained soil and full sun. While walnut trees can take 4-6 years to produce a reasonable quantity of nuts, they can bear fruit within their first few years. To promote pollination, it is recommended to plant at least two trees together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 15m or taller |
| Space required | Considerable |
| Number of trees | At least 2 for cross-pollination |
| Climate | Cool, reasonably moist |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist, enriched with organic matter |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Fertiliser | Complete fertiliser, liquid feed |
| Harvest time | 4-6 years for reasonable quantity, 10-12 years for full production |
| Pruning | Every 3-4 years |
| Mulching | 10cm thick layer of organic mulch |
| Rootstock | Size-controlling rootstocks available |
| High-density planting | Possible |
| Self-pollinating varieties | Tulare, Cisco, Franquette, Howard |
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What You'll Learn
Planting requirements and spacing
Walnut trees require a significant amount of space, with the potential to reach heights of 15 metres or more. They are ideal for country estates, but their size makes them too large for most suburban gardens. At least two trees are recommended to aid pollination. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained, moist soil that has been enriched with organic matter, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
When planting, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and of the same depth. Remove the shrub from its container, gently teasing the roots and cutting away any circled or tangled roots. It is important to plan for the future when planting walnut trees, as they can take four to six years to produce a reasonable quantity of nuts and 10 to 12 years to reach full production. Therefore, when selecting a spot, consider the space available in 10 years and ensure there is plenty of room for the tree to grow.
While walnut trees traditionally require a considerable amount of space, some sources suggest that high-density planting methods can also be applied to walnut trees. This involves planting walnut trees closer together than traditional methods advise, similar to the practices used for fruit trees. This approach can result in positive cash flow after year five and does not require a trellis, as walnut trees are free-standing. However, young trees may need to be staked in areas that are not protected from strong winds. To keep trees in their spaces, it is important to control apical dormancy, delay-head branches, and apply regulated deficit irrigation to control vigour and increase fruitfulness.
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Soil preparation and planting
Walnut trees require a lot of space, as they can grow to over 15 metres tall. They are ideal for country estates but are often too large for suburban gardens. You will need to plant at least two trees to aid pollination. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and ensure there is plenty of space around the planting area for the tree to grow.
Before planting, enrich the soil with organic matter and a complete fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Dig the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth. Then, remove the shrub from its container, gently teasing the roots and cutting away any circled or tangled roots.
For high-density planting, walnut trees can be planted closer together than traditional methods advise. This can lead to positive cash flow after year five. However, it is important to manage tree vigour and increase fruitfulness by controlling apical dormancy, delaying head branches, and applying regulated deficit irrigation.
To aid the tree in making the most of available water, mulch heavily over the root area with a 10cm thick layer of organic mulch. Feed your tree at least twice a year, in early spring and late summer, with a complete fertiliser.
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Fertilising and feeding
Walnut trees are a long-term commitment, taking 4-6 years to produce a reasonable quantity of nuts and 10-12 years to reach full production. They require feeding at least twice a year, in early spring and late summer. A complete fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, is recommended for this purpose. For an added nutrient boost, feed your walnut tree with a soluble plant food, such as Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit, every two weeks when flowering and fruiting.
When preparing the soil before planting, it is important to enrich it with organic matter. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root-ball and the same depth. Remove the shrub from its container, gently teasing the roots and cutting away any circled or tangled roots.
Walnut trees thrive in cool, moist climates with full sun and well-drained soil. They can reach heights of 15 metres or more, so it is important to consider your space before planting. At least two trees are recommended to aid pollination.
While walnut trees are relatively low-maintenance, they require pruning every 3-4 years. To help the tree make the most of available water, mulch heavily over the root area with a 10cm thick layer of organic mulch.
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Pollination and cross-pollination
Walnut trees can grow very tall, often exceeding 15 metres in height, so they require a significant amount of space. It is recommended to plant at least two trees to facilitate pollination and increase the likelihood of a good harvest.
For effective cross-pollination, two compatible varieties are required. For example, Cisco and Franquette will cross-pollinate with Chandler and aid production. The Cisco walnut is a small, semi-upright tree with a moderate yield, making it an excellent choice for pollinating other varieties. The Howard cultivar also cross-pollinates with Cisco and Franquette.
If you only have space for one walnut tree, consider planting a self-pollinating variety such as Tulare. Tulare is a recently developed walnut from the University of California that blooms late, which is advantageous in frosty areas, and it still matures nuts in mid-season. It is a heavy bearer of nuts, which are light in colour, large, round, and well-sealed.
Like walnut trees, some other nut trees also require cross-pollination. For example, pistachio trees are dioecious, meaning they have male and female flowers on separate trees, so you need to plant two trees close together to promote pollination and produce nuts.
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Harvesting and pruning
Walnut trees are large and can grow to heights of 15 to 25 metres, with a spread of up to 15 metres. They are fairly slow-growing but can reach their final height within 20 to 50 years. They can live for over 200 years in their natural habitat. Due to their size, they are ideal for country estates and large gardens or parks, but not for most suburban gardens.
Harvesting
Walnuts grow inside a green husk and are ready to harvest when the husk comes off, revealing the familiar brown walnut. This usually happens around September. Wear gloves and robust clothing when harvesting to avoid staining or irritation from the walnuts. English walnuts are ready for pickling before the shells harden, in June.
Pruning
Walnut trees require little pruning beyond the occasional removal of dead, damaged, diseased, or crossed branches to maintain the tree's shape. Pruning should take place between the end of June and the end of September to avoid the tree 'bleeding' at the cutting points. Avoid excessive pruning and creating horizontal surfaces, as these can collect water and cause rotting. When pruning, only cut branches in a single location and avoid creating multiple wounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Walnut trees can grow to over 15 metres tall, so they need a considerable amount of space. You should also plant at least two trees to aid pollination.
Walnut trees are suited to climates with cool winters and warm summers, like Victoria. They are drought-tolerant and have few pests and diseases.
Walnut trees can take 4-6 years to produce a reasonable quantity of nuts and 10-12 years to reach full production.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained, moist soil enriched with organic matter. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Tease the roots gently and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
Tulare is a good choice as it is self-pollinating. Chandler is a popular variety but needs another compatible variety for reliable pollination and cropping. Cisco and Franquette will cross-pollinate with Chandler.
