Walnut trees for timber

Many varieties of walnut trees produce valuable timber, making them a long-term asset. Generally grafted trees will reach a worthwhile value after around 40 years of growth. The current value of walnut wood is significantly higher than that of oak.

Growers looking towards agro-forestry trees, or trees that will enhance parkland, avenue or pasture may wish to consider the largest class of tree, which as 4-5 year olds are already formed with a crown and clear stem, generally giving the tree a height of 3.5m or more.

However, younger trees generally transplant more readily and require less aftercare, as they retain a greater proportion of their root when lifted from the nursery.

For timber production we recommend the varieties below.

Happily, all of these varieties are also reliable producers of edible nuts. Other varieties such as Hansen and Broadview tend towards slow-growing or spreading trees, but given sympathetic formation and pruning may yield a useful butt.

Axel

A bit of a curiosity, Axel probably bears the largest walnuts of any known variety, however they are often poorly filled and only of mediocre flavour. Not for commercial plantings but of interest to gardeners.

ORIGIN: Belgium/Holland
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Large, powerful grower of erect habit. Vigorous.
NUT TYPE: Massive and distinctly bi-lobed
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 40%
LEAFING ONSET: 1st May
TYPE OF FLOWERING: Protandrous
CROPPING: Medium-Heavy
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years

Buccaneer

A healthy and robust Dutch variety. The nut is round and carried in abundance and this may make it particulary well suited to the production of pickled walnuts.

ORIGIN: Netherlands
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Upright form, more vigorous than Broadview
NUT TYPE: Round
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 44%
LEAFING ONSET: 12th May
TYPE OF FLOWERING:
CROPPING: Medium
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years

Coenen

Good for avenues and parkland settings, although its relatively early leafing makes it unsuited to marginal sites. Reluctant to produce catkins and requires a pollinator, such as Broadview.

ORIGIN: Netherlands
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Large and stately
NUT TYPE: Large round nut
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 45%
LEAFING ONSET: 26th April
TYPE OF FLOWERING: Protandrous
CROPPING: Medium
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years

Number 16

Grown from seed of the variety Rita, and displaying some of its parent’s character, although more vigorous.

Like Rita, whilst this form is also slightly protogenous, opinion is that it may be self-fertile. Leafing is slightly later than Rita, which can be helpful in marginal conditions.

ORIGIN: Michigan, USA
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Large, powerful grower
NUT TYPE: Medium
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 54%
LEAFING ONSET: 28th April
TYPE OF FLOWERING: Slight protogeny
CROPPING: Heavy
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years

Plovdivski

One of the best Eastern European forms. Although its early leafing makes it slightly speculative, the quality and size of the kernel is outstanding.

ORIGIN: Bulgaria
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Medium size and vigour
NUT TYPE: Large and elongate
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 60%
LEAFING ONSET: 26th April
TYPE OF FLOWERING: Protandrous
CROPPING: Medium
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years

Proslavski

Another top-quality Eastern European form. Slightly inferior to Plovdivski in regard to its pollination. Reluctance to produce its own catkins suggests that it would prosper alongside Buccaneer, which is shedding most pollen around 6th June, corresponding perfectly with the mid-bloom of Proslavski.

ORIGIN: Bulgaria
TREE HABIT AND VIGOUR: Large
NUT TYPE: Large and elongate
KERNEL TO NUT RATIO: 60%
LEAFING ONSET: 24th April
TYPE OF FLOWERING: Marked protandry
CROPPING: Medium
AGE AT FIRST BEARING: 4 years