walnut

[Kier]

what root stock would I use to try to graft a named walnut , its supposed to be a dwarf walnut 3/4m so root stock would want to be not too vigorous I think, not sure though anyone got any ideas, I have no proof its dwarf except from the supplier in Germany and it will be 2 years according to them before fruiting

[Kirk]

It would I expect already be on a rootstock to make it a dwarf variety. Otherwise it would be a nice big tree.

I assume that you want to produce from the one you are purchasing.

These are listed walnut rootstocks by a US nursery:
Burchell Nursery:
Northern California Black
Vlach Paradox Hybrid (Clonal)
VX211 (Clonal)
Paradox Hybrid
84-121 Paradox Hybrid (Clonal)
RX1 (Clonal)

What the characteristics of each are I have no idea.
You can spend your time looking them up.

[Hereford fruit grower]

Belated reply as I've only just joined this forum...

I bought the variety Rita which is said to grow only 8 m high, i.e. dwarf for a walnut, LOL.

I acquired I think Fernette from Martin Crawford, anyway it's a cross-pollinator for Rita because walnuts need cross-pollination to crop properly (although Rita is starting to crop without any help).

I still have F. in a pot while I re-plan the garden slightly. I assume it'll be 12 m at maturity unless it's restricted, OTOH it's clearly a v.good variety.

I've never heard of a walnut more dwarfing than 8 m. I tried seeds from Garfield Shulz/USA who claims to have developed dwarf trees but they all developed walnut blight with me. I suppose it's less of a problem in semi-desert/Idaho, hence he didn't select for it. I know someone else who had the same experience with Shulz walnuts and regarded them as a waste of space.

If I wanted a tree <<12 m, I think I'd plant it in a root restriction bag. The bulk sand bags used by builders' merchants might do the trick and they're available free after use because they're non-returnable.

[burnie]

There's a Walnut in Tunstead in Norfolk(or there was a couple of years ago) that's only 5 or 6 metres tall and it was covered in nuts too.

[Hereford fruit grower]

Thanks. That sounds possibly very important to plant breeding. (As long as the tree doesn't get blight.) Just possibly walnuts do better in East Anglia than in the west Midlands or southwest England (like peach trees in the open do).

Frank Matthews Ltd., down the road from me, grow 100,000s of fruit and nut trees/year and are trying to acquire grafting wood of walnuts of known good performance. I think they're concentrating on Herefordshire and Worcs. Norfolk's a long way to go, LOL.

If anyone on this forum lives near the tree, could they possibly send me a few nuts next month? (I'll reciprocate if you/they like with some hazelnuts from my own trees which are now cropping.)

I think in due course if this comes to anything it might need grafting wood to be taken from the tree.

[veggiechicken]

Don't know if this site is of interest Manse Organics Grafted Walnuts
Unfortunately, they no longer sell walnut trees.

[Issy]

We have a walnut tree six inches from our fence at the bottom of the garden - it's over 50 yrs old and stands about 60 - 70 feet tall. The squirrels pinch all the walnuts!

[burnie]

I have to say when I first saw it I didn't know what it was with those soft green round things hanging off it.

[burnie]

Pomona have a Walnut for sale called Broadview, described as compact, heavy cropping and the best variety to grow in the Uk

[veggiechicken]

Grafted Walnuts Varieties - Broadview

[It never rains..it pours]

Belated reply as I've only just joined this forum...

I bought the variety Rita which is said to grow only 8 m high, i.e. dwarf for a walnut, LOL.

I acquired I think Fernette from Martin Crawford, anyway it's a cross-pollinator for Rita because walnuts need cross-pollination to crop properly (although Rita is starting to crop without any help).

I still have F. in a pot while I re-plan the garden slightly. I assume it'll be 12 m at maturity unless it's restricted, OTOH it's clearly a v.good variety.

I've never heard of a walnut more dwarfing than 8 m. I tried seeds from Garfield Shulz/USA who claims to have developed dwarf trees but they all developed walnut blight with me. I suppose it's less of a problem in semi-desert/Idaho, hence he didn't select for it. I know someone else who had the same experience with Shulz walnuts and regarded them as a waste of space.

If I wanted a tree <<12 m, I think I'd plant it in a root restriction bag. The bulk sand bags used by builders' merchants might do the trick and they're available free after use because they're non-returnable.

Hereford fruit grower, may I ask how your Rita is getting along as considering one myself
From whats Ive read its meant to hardy so tolerate heavier soil and good disease resistance for wetter climate. Also as I only have allocated room for one its meant to be partially self fertile and a lot smaller than average walnut yet good yields as lateral bearer.
Only comment have seen a slight neagative on is the taste/quality ?

[penny]

Hi I have a large walnut tree which has a big crop most years but I am lucky if I get a handful as squirrels take them every year despite my best efforts to deter them, the same is true of my hazel nuts. Before you lay out on a tree make sure squirrels are not going to Rob you!

[It never rains..it pours]

Hi I have a large walnut tree which has a big crop most years but I am lucky if I get a handful as squirrels take them every year despite my best efforts to deter them, the same is true of my hazel nuts. Before you lay out on a tree make sure squirrels are not going to Rob you!

Thank you for the advice Penny but we have no squirrels on the Island

[planetologist]

I have several squirrel planted walnuts. I.e. not grafted. I try to keep them 3m tall by pruning so that I can get to the nuts as soon as the green shells start to crack, which is when the squirrels start taking them. The first one started producing after 6 years. Last year I had about 500 walnuts, and this year about 50. I'm not sure whether that's because they're biannual or because it was so dry this year.

[Scarlet]

Squirrels get mine every year ( sometimes I'm lucky and can pick a few tubs ) but there wasn't much of a crop on mine either this year so I'm going to say I think it was due to the lack of rain.