Hi @joe.shimmin Do you want a Walnut because of its appearance, or because you want to eat the Walnuts? Most people on the forum who have a Walnut tree will tell you that they almost never get a Walnut, as the squirrels get them all. You will probably be very disappointed if you hope to eat the nuts. They are also not the prettiest of trees (IMO), there are many other trees which are far superior in terms of Autumn colour/blossom/fruit, etc.
We planted a Walnut sapling about 6 years ago, it was a gift from a family member, so has great sentimental value. We thought the young leaves were very beautiful, and thought we understood how big the tree would get. The adult leaves are actually very dull, all year round, and there is no Autumn colour to speak of, or berries or blossom (although they produce beautiful catkins when older). Our tree is now fairly big, and with a lot of growing to do. They don't take well to pruning, so do your research into how big they really get. You need a big garden to take a full size tree.
This year we cropped the young green Walnuts from our tree, and have been making a liquer with them (Nocino), and chutney and pickled Walnuts. We don't yet know if any of them will be tasty, but if so, that would raise my estimation of them as s tree to have. If I could wind back the clock, I'd much rather have an Amelanchier or similar.
Edit to add.....By the way...just read your earlier post re walnut tree. It was quite big when you planted it. You may find smaller trees easier to get established. Warning...your garden is small for all that laurel hedge, Cherry trees and a walnut. Remember trees grow.
Years ago on a guided visit to Cotswold Garden flowers (Between Pershore and Evesham) by owner Bob Brown. We were shown his superb walnut tree. Not huge, bears nuts regularly from a young age. I thought it was a beautiful tree, with gorgeous silver bark....never forgotten it. They still sell it in the nursery ..all seeds collected/grown from this lovely tree. They do mail order. Worth a thought.
@Silver surfer You are correct about the bark, I had forgotten that this is one of the things I do love about our tree. I wonder if Bob actually manages to get any of the nuts.
I was growing it just because I wanted a tree really. Sounds like I’m best rid of it! In the hedge I have a Rowan, a bird cherry, a crab apple and a hawthorn tree all planted at the same time as a hedge as 1 year old saplings. So I may not re-plant anything to replace the walnut. Thanks for the advice, possibly the tree dying is a blessing in disguise!
Posts
Patience is a virtue Jim.
We planted a Walnut sapling about 6 years ago, it was a gift from a family member, so has great sentimental value. We thought the young leaves were very beautiful, and thought we understood how big the tree would get. The adult leaves are actually very dull, all year round, and there is no Autumn colour to speak of, or berries or blossom (although they produce beautiful catkins when older). Our tree is now fairly big, and with a lot of growing to do. They don't take well to pruning, so do your research into how big they really get. You need a big garden to take a full size tree.
This year we cropped the young green Walnuts from our tree, and have been making a liquer with them (Nocino), and chutney and pickled Walnuts. We don't yet know if any of them will be tasty, but if so, that would raise my estimation of them as s tree to have. If I could wind back the clock, I'd much rather have an Amelanchier or similar.
Edit to add.....By the way...just read your earlier post re walnut tree.
It was quite big when you planted it.
You may find smaller trees easier to get established.
Warning...your garden is small for all that laurel hedge, Cherry trees and a walnut.
Remember trees grow.
Years ago on a guided visit to Cotswold Garden flowers (Between Pershore and Evesham) by owner Bob Brown.
We were shown his superb walnut tree.
Not huge, bears nuts regularly from a young age.
I thought it was a beautiful tree, with gorgeous silver bark....never forgotten it.
They still sell it in the nursery ..all seeds collected/grown from this lovely tree.
They do mail order.
Worth a thought.
https://www.cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk/product/juglans-regia/