English Walnut Tree

[madmarine]

Hello everyone,

I really need some help. My aunt lives in northeast Washington State up in the mountains. Several years before uncle Dale passed away he started an English Walnut Tree from seed and planted it. Aunt Geri wants the tree to grow to be a sort of living memorial to him but it isn't growing well.

She has taken care to make sure it doesn't freeze in the winter and is doing what she can.

Can anyone give me advice to pass on to her to help this tree thrive in this climate.

I am pretty good with garden and flowers but trees i'm not that knowledgable of. Any and all advice and ideas will be greatly appreciated.

In advance i thank you all so very much.

Chuck (Madmarine)

[MooseToo]

check with neighbors - check with county agent - they know what works (or not) in your exact area - best you'll get here is guess-work -

[kawalekm]

Hi Chuck
I went to school in Pulman, and then lived for a while in Sandpoint, so I'm familar with that area, north of Spokane. The only words to describe that area are dry and extreme cold. I'm guessing that your winter lows are in the -30 range.

It's my understanding that trees harden off better under drying conditions; that is, moist soil delays hardening off. I assume you're giving the tree irrigation water. I would wean it off water at about leaf drop. The other course of action is to throughly wrap the tree's trunk and big limbs in burlap and then plastic in late fall to protect the tree from the coldest winter weather.

One thing I don't know is if a single seedling walnut will be self-fertile or not. Your aunt may care for the tree but it might not ever bear nuts without another variety as a partner.
Michael

[hendos]

I live in eastern wa also. In the columbia basin. I also planted a couple of english walnut from seed. They grew considerably better after i applied a thick layer of peat moss.and a little chicken manure. Maybe that would help. Good luck