[Salkeela]

Hi folks... I'm not here that often these days, but have returned to pick your collective brains!  

Walnuts?  I'm thinking of planting a few.  The common walnut Juglans regia is fairly cheap to buy on ebay and other places.  The named varieties (of the same species) are much more expensive - presumably because they are grafted from an original parent.  

I am considering just planting the common walnut as that way I could afford to plant a few more.   One of the ebay sellers is in N.Ireland and so I may visit to buy (rather than buy blind).  

Have you any views on the common vs cultivar debate?

Many thanks

[Aunt Sally]

I've no idea I'm afraid but others here might.

In the mean time this looks like a good information site:

http://www.walnuttrees.co.uk/

[Trillium]

One question you must ask your supplier is whether or not the variety you're interested in will allow other plants to grow in the immediate area. Specific varieties put out a toxin in their roots to eliminate competition from other plants. Many plants do this but walnut can be the worst. not even grass will grow in the understory. But some varieties are more socialable and you'd want these since walnuts are a long term crop. Over here we get a native black walnut growing wild and the 'fruit' isn't so nice and the nuts themselves stain hands badly.

[Salkeela]

Thanks....

I've done a little research - it seems that black walnut is a different species to the common walnut and altogether more toxic!  So I'll avoid it!

I think the expensive ones sold by specialist nurseries might be grafts (& that sometimes black walnut root stock is used?) so I'm leaning towards the cheaper common walnut on all accounts!

I've emailed the supplier here too.

[Salkeela]

Sorry to bump this to the top.....

I'm hoping for some more thoughts on Walnuts and cultivars etc.  What experiences have you had?  Are walnuts usually grafted?