[sunshineband]

Has nayone any expereince of growing walnut trees from self sown nuts?
My brother has offered me one about 4 ft tall that has sprung up in his neighbour's garden, apparently from a nut off the tree a couple of houses away.

Is it likely to ever have decent nuts on it?

[DavidT]

Yes, eventually. They usually start fruiting between 5 and 7 years old. If you want a tree in your garden then you have nothing to lose, and possibly walnuts to gain.

[sunshineband]

Thank you.

I'll get him to dig it up once the leaves are off 

[NigelB]

Am I correct in remembering that walnut trees somehow produce a chemical that stunts the growth of surrounding trees, bushes and plants? 

[Yorkie]

I think you might be right Nigel.

Also I'm wondering whether they are self-fertile or it would need a second walnut nearby to pollinate it?

[Brambles]

I bought three walnut trees about 20 years ago... They were 10 year old trees when we planted them...  Only one tree still survives today... it gives delicious walnuts though some years they are a little small... But have to say that it has DEFINITELY NOT affected the growth of any trees nearby.   Which are: 2 Cherrrys, 3 Oaks and a Hawthorn, though it is only the cherry trees that are really close.

[sunshineband]

Glad to hear they seem to be relatively trouble free.

I'm looking to plant one on the edge of our other trees on the school field, where there is plenty of space.

[Salmo]

I planted a similar seedling about 15 years ago and it had its first crop of 20 nuts this year. No other walnut trees nearbye so I presume they self pollinate.

You will need to be quick to beat the squirrels and rooks to them.

[tode]

You should get your first walnuts after 5 or 6 years.  Our walnut is alone, and has always had lots of nuts: the pollination is a bit like sweet corn: male catkins drop the pollen onto the tiny female flowers.   Our tree is a wild one that I dug out of a quarry; the nuts aren't enormous, but very good taste.

Grass and narcissi grow well underneath, but don't know about other trees (but then you wouldn't want a tree under it anyway ? )

[sunshineband]

That's decided it Tode -- no pollinator needed, a free walnut tree and the space to plant it.

All I need are the narcissi 

[tode]

And a spade . . . .     

[sunshineband]

... oh yes!

[Rangerkris]

You lot are NUTS i only know of 2  walnut tree's in the area and my step dad sa one has been there as long as he can remember he is 67.  He loves going to pick up the wind fall from the tree's

[sunshineband]

It's agood sort of nuts though 

[tode]

Every year, when the walnuts are ready, I think "MUST make some pickled walnuts next year"

Maybe next year I will.