The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-12-09
PLANTING BLACK WALNUT
ON THE FARM
(By w. r. Nation, Division of Exten.
sion, University of Tennessee)

(By w. R. Nation, Division of Exten.
sion, University of Tennessee.)
Because of the very high lasting
qualities of its wood and the moderate
ly rapid rate of growth Of the tree in
good locations, black walnut is one of
the few most desirable trees to plant
on the farm. Small patches of rough,
quilted, or unused land about the farm,
if good soil and not too thin OF dry,
make ideal places for planting this
valuable tree. The tree is compare
lively free from insect attack, and the
probability of the lumber retaining its
high average value on the market is
another reason for selecting walnut.
In any event, the tree yields superior
wood for posts and for wide variety
of uses about the farm.
In order to succeed well, walnut re-
quires a rather good grade of soil,
hence no attempt should be made to
plant 1t on poor, thin soil, or on hot,
dry exposures. In Tennessee a strong
limestone soil even il moderately thin,
deep alluvial and stony loan soils OF
the bottoms and along the margins OF
the highlands, are favorite situations
for rapid development. Since the wal
nut tree requires q large supply OF
light, it may well be planted on tracts
recently cleared of old growth or
turned out of fields. In this respect it
resembles black locust which, how.
ever, makes a somewhat faster growth
but in most localities is more or less
subject to serious attack by wood
boring BEETLE. A leaf eating tent cat
erpillar does harm sometimes to the
walnut foliage, though not serious.
The walnut crop is particularly
heavy this fall, affording a splendid
opportunity to gather seed for plant
ing. Another factor to be considered
is the rapidly diminishing supply Of
walnut trees over practically its en-
tire range in the United States, due
to cutting in order to meet the pres.
ent almost worldwide demand for gun
stock material In handling the nuts,
the best procedure after gathering is
to stratify them over winter and then
plant them next spring just about the
time termination begins. In Tennes-
see this is probably between March
1st and 25th. Squirrels and chipmunks
are serious pests il present in num-
bers, and would more than likely sue
coed in digging up majority Of nuts
planted out this fall. Small tracts,
however, surrounded by cultivated
fields and other places where squirrels
are known to be scarce might safely
be planted this fall or early winter
when labor is more accessible than in |
the spring.
Planting is done by making q small
hole with mattock or hoe, dropping |
two nuts, and covering them with
about 2 inches of fresh soil. A good |
spacing Is to dig the holes s feet each |
way, which amounts to 1910 holes per
acre. The number of nuts required |
can be easily found by knowing ap-
the area of ground to be
treated and the average spacing. Care
should be taken not to plant under too
heavy shade. Where the trees are to
be cut during the next year or two
and are moderately open, planting |
might begin now, so as to get start
in advance of the removal OF the over
head projections against early frosts
and excessive drying of the soil in
While the best results are usually |
obtained by completely preparing the
soil and cultivating 1t for few years
after planting, the purpose here is to
awaken farm owners to the possibility
Of starting hundreds of young walnuts
in their woodlots and elsewhere on the
farm at the expense of only a little
labor. This will be q good step in the
process Of transforming an almost
Gull woodlot into stand of
useful and money making trees. Fur
Their Information In regard to methods
of storing and planting the nuts and
caring for the woodlot will be furn-
shed upon application to the State
Toresters OF the various states, or to
The Forest Service, United States De-
'artmsnt Of Agriculture, ct Washing
teM.