This is part of a commercial nut growing and nursery operation owned and operated by Ernie Grimo . The answer is that they are doing it, but on a small scale. In the Lower Great Lakes region and in the Pacific Northwest hundreds of acres have been planted to northern nut trees and some new fruit trees over the past decade. In other parts of the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions smaller acreages are being planted. Significant research and experimental plantings have been made in Nebraska and Kansas.
Homeowners plant tens of thousands of non-traditional northern nut and fruit trees every year.
These plantings are in part the result of increased availability of high quality, low cost planting stock. The commercial potential of grafted trees and seedlings of known cultivars has been demonstrated by the size and quality of their nuts and fruit. Their hardiness, precocity, and productivity have also been demonstrated. Photo by Dr Lawrence MacDaniels. Other factors contributing to this change are more sophisticated and demanding consumers who want unusual products and are willing to pay for them, especially if they are locally and naturally grown.