Black walnuts and their hatred of other plants
@morgandrake (2136)
United States
May 29, 2007 4:41pm CST
Ok, maybe it is not hatred, but black walnuts produce a chemical that kills off otehr types of plants.
This is a fact that I wasn't aware of until recently. It does explain why I haven't had any luck with the tomatoes and rose bushes I have planted in my yard. We have two great big black walnut trees in our yard. When we brought the place I didn't think much of it, outside of the fact that I hate cleaning up the hulls.
But earlier this year, while doing research for a technical writing assignment (ahh the joys of being a forty-one year old college sophomore) I learned that they produce a chemical that kills off some other plants, including roses.
Now, that I am aware of this, I would like to avoid buying and planting any more plants that are going to meet their death from these trees.
So what plants don't like being planted near black walnuts? And is there any way around this fact of life?
Thanks.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
30 May 07
There is a reason why the herbal shops say to use black walnut to get rid of fungus problems. I sometimes take it for my digestive system. Ok, to much information there. But back on topic, I did find this:
"Gardens should be located away from black walnut trees to prevent damage to susceptible plants. If proximity to such trees is unavoidable, then raised beds afford a means of protection. However, the bed must be constructed in such a way as to minimize tree root penetration into the raised portion. Care must then be taken to keep the beds free of black walnut leaf litter or nuts."
For the rest of the article: http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/fruits/blkwalnt.htm
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 May 07
I think you are pretty much out of luck with just about anything you plant under those walnut trees. I grew up on a farm full of those buggers, and the only thing that grew under them was grass, dandelions and clover. I do seem to remember my mom having a strawberry bed close by, but I can't remember if those were under the mature trees or the young ones. (It's sad when you're 36, and suffering from "oldtimes" disease!)
If you want a planting, you could try hostas. they take a beating, and keep spreading. Find a friend who is willing to divide one (I have several!!) so then your only investment is time, not money.
Best of luck to you!
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
30 May 07
Almost all the plants will succumb in time to the juglone released by the roots. So be happy with the delicious nut and plant elsewhere in the yard. Victory gardens were made in the front yards during the war years! Good luck growing the plants that you wish to plant.
1 person likes this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
30 May 07
I live in an alley house. Technically, all of my yard is front yard--I have a foot wide strip at the back of the house. Before we brought the house, I said I would be happy if I didn't have black walnut trees; such is my luck that the place that we could afford that we wanted had two of them. About my yard might be safe from the roots. I hope.
@ShawnDay (227)
•
9 Jun 07
My friend sold her black walnut for $35,000...yes...that's thousand...for the wood. She had called in an expert to see why no other plants would grow in her soil, too. Black Walnuts don't grow where I live and if they do survive, they are very tiny...her's was eating the neighborhood..LOL
