Walnuts, butternuts, chestnuts and hickories do not leaf out until late in the spring, and thus can be used in situations where winter and early spring sun, combined with summer shade, is desired. Numerous shrubs and herbs are adapted to the partial shade of nut trees. Some types of nut trees come fairly true to seed, while others show a great degree of variance. For this reason, many of the trees sold through nurseries have been grafted to select nut cultivars. Commercial orchardists and backyard growers with limited space will want to plant grafted trees.
Most nut trees develop deep, strong taproots in their first year of growth.
This makes them difficult to transplant successfully, especially if grown for two years in the nursery and before transplanting. To avoid transplant shock, nuts may be planted in the spot you wish them to grow. If fall-planted, a deposit of fresh cow manure will discourage rodent pilferage plus act as a fertilizer and mulch. Mark each seed witha stake so it can be located easily. After one or two years of growth the seedling may be grafted.