English Walnut Trees

The English walnut, also known as Persian nut, is a native of Western and Central Asia. The nut was the food of the royalty, and was introduced by the Greeks in Rome, where it became Juglans, a name derived from Jovis and glans, meaning Jupiter's Acorn, or the Nut of the Gods. The spread of the Roman empire, carried this royal food throughout continental Europe. In England, it is mostly known as the 'walnut', derived from the Anglo-Saxon language; whereas in America, it is commonly known as 'English walnut' to differentiate it from the native species of walnut. Let's gain some practical knowledge about English walnut trees.

The English walnut is a perennial tree. It has a rich, green foliage that is large and elliptical (oval) in shape. Early mid-spring, the tree bears abundant white flowers, followed with the fruit and seed that start appearing in the summers and continue until fall. The nut (fruit) is small, round and thin-shelled having large, plump kernels. The English walnut tree is capable of producing more nuts than any other walnut tree. The walnut tree is densely foliated, and round in shape with sturdy branches that provide shade. It is a rapidly growing tree, and can reach 60 feet in height, upon maturity at 20 years. It is a hardy, cold-resistant tree, though it gets damaged by excessive frost, and is capable of adapting itself well, in a variety of soil types. The tree does not allow growth under its shade as well as close to its roots. Its roots release allelopathic chemicals into the soil, which inhibit the growth of other plants and shrubs around them.

How to Grow an English Walnut Tree
The English walnut tree is easy to grow, and a favorite amongst many garden growers for the shade they provide, and edible nuts they bear. As they cannot bear frost, it is best to choose a site where they will come less in contact with frost. The walnut tree can be propagated through different techniques; bare root, container and seed. However, one can also pick them from a number of nurseries. Choose a spot that will have no obstruction as the tree grows and spreads itself. A good drainage, and a loamy soil with a pH balance that should be neutral to slightly alkaline, is considered best for its growth. They should be well watered during their growing period. Recommended fertilizer is a total of 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of root area, which is divided into two feedings. First, when new leaves sprout in spring and the second, before harvest in fall. After fertilizing them, it is advisable to water the tree thoroughly. Pruning them is not an annual requirement, unless a branch is diseased or is going to come apart.

English Walnut Tree Diseases
This English walnut tree is susceptible to quite a number of diseases, so one needs to keep an eye on it round the year. The tree is vulnerable to get crown rot. Crown rot is a light brown to blackish patches found on the walnut tree's trunk, which wilts the foliage, stunts growth and kills the tree. The blackline is a virus disease, caused due to incompatibility during propagation between the English walnut and the black walnut rootstocks. The walnut husk fly is pesky fly that emerges in summer to lay eggs in the dry outer cover of the nut (hull). The husk fly infects the walnut, which turns black and full of maggots. The tree needs to sprayed with pesticides to control the husk fly from damaging all the walnuts.

Growing a English walnut tree in the landscape would give more than the tasty, nutritious walnuts. One would have a tree that will provide dense shade and cool summer breeze, for all who wish to enjoy under its vast canopy.