Chapter 8 – Nut trees

For the most part the nut trees that you plant today will be harvested at their peak maturity by your children and grandchildren. Nuts are dense in calories, fats and protein. Some, like walnuts have heart healthy oils. Nuts can keep for up to a year when processed and dried properly, this makes them a great supplemental nutrition source during lean winters.

Most nut trees are not grafted like fruit trees. This means they can grow to staggering heights casting massive shadows that you need to be mindful of when planning your plantings. Some nut trees like walnuts and butternuts release compounds into the soil called Junglone. These compounds are toxic to many other fruit trees and garden plants. The rule of thumb is that the plant transmits these compounds into the soil in a radius around the plant equal to twice the height of the mature tree. Even after the tree dies these compounds are released by the decomposing roots for up to 10 years.

The following entries are not meant to be an ultimate compendium of all nut trees. Instead think of it as a highlight of nut trees that can be grown in a wide range of growing zones.