{"id":12255,"date":"2022-11-08T05:23:40","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T10:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=12255"},"modified":"2022-11-12T11:45:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-12T16:45:39","slug":"how-to-plant-a-black-walnut-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-to-plant-a-black-walnut-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Plant A Black Walnut Tree?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Black walnut trees are prized for their lumber, and their earthy nuts<\/a> are a favorite winter staple among squirrels and other wildlife. Though some people consider them nuisance trees, other people enjoy having them in their backyard. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about how to plant a black walnut tree, from collecting seeds to planting your seedlings in their permanent home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Start Black Walnut Trees From Seed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walnut trees are relatively easy to start from seed; the most time-consuming part is preparing the seeds for planting. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gather Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you already have black walnut trees growing in your area, then you should have no problem finding seeds to plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the fall or early winter, find your nearest black walnut tree and gather up some of the seeds that have fallen. Chances are they\u2019ll be all over the ground in the immediate vicinity of the tree.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can knock any remaining walnuts off the branches with a telescopic branch holder or by climbing into the tree and shaking the individual branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a black walnut tree growing in your area, you may be able to find seeds online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove the Husks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you have gathered your seeds, it\u2019s time to remove the soft outer husk. This husk will appear green on fresher walnuts and black if the walnuts have been sitting on the ground for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always wear gloves for this process unless you don\u2019t mind having stained hands for the next few weeks. Black walnut husks are used to make a yellow dye, and this color is extremely difficult to remove from both skin and clothes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a knife to score the husk, then pry off chunks of it until you are left with the hard, ridged seed inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can place your walnuts in a bucket of water, allow them to soak for a couple of days, then pull the husks away from the seeds. Soaking them in water softens them significantly and makes them much easier to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soak the Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Allow the husked seeds to soak in a bucket of water overnight. This will clean them and will also help you determine which seeds are viable and which ones are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any seeds that float to the top of the water should be thrown out. Seeds that sink to the bottom of the bucket are more likely to sprout.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stratify the Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planting your seeds directly in the soil outside, you can skip this step. You\u2019ll want to plant the seeds in late fall or early winter, then cover them with a layer of cloth and mulch to prevent squirrels from digging them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to start your seeds in planters, you will need to stratify them before doing so. Stratifying seeds basically means that you\u2019re mimicking the period of dormancy the seeds would experience naturally while buried in the ground outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place your seeds in resealable bags with perlite or a mixture of peat moss and potting soil. Moisten the mixture, seal the bag, then shake it around to mix the seeds in with the perlite or soil.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place these bags in a refrigerator. It\u2019s best to have a separate refrigerator for this step rather than placing the bags in your main fridge\u2013the constant opening and closing of the door will allow for temperature fluctuations, and the seeds stratify best when they are kept at a constant temperature and in constant darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave your bags of seeds in the fridge for 3 to 4 months. Check on them occasionally and moisten the mixture in the bags if it begins to dry out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant the Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fill large planters with a mix of potting soil, sand, and compost. Plant one seed per planter at a depth of 4 to 5 inches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water the seeds in, fully saturating the soil to a depth of at least 5 or 6 inches\u2013just below the level of the seed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place the planters in a sunny location where they will warm to around 85 degrees each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care For the Seedling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The seeds should germinate within 4 to 6 weeks. Move them to a partially shaded location.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they grow over the next week or two, gradually allow them to transition back to full sun. Water the seedlings whenever the top inch or so of the soil begins to dry out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep the seedling outside as much as possible, though try to shield it from storms, high winds, and extreme temperatures. Keep it in a sunny location throughout the summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about starting a walnut tree from seed, check out the following video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=816sBvWLD-U<\/a>