Walnut Timber
Tender Loving Care of Black Walnut Trees Increases Profit
Black walnut is the most valuable and sought-after tree in the Midwest. It occurs naturally on almost every farm, but markets for crooked, limby, short-bodied walnuts are poor. It only pays to grow high-quality trees. Starting when trees are 6 inches in diameter, their quality and growth can be increased many times by pruning and release. To help increase the supply of high-quality walnut and put money in your pocket, manage your young walnuts properly.
1. The branch collar is between the pencil and the trunk. The branch bark ridge is the raised area between the limb and trunk. The white line indicates the proper location of a pruning cut.
2. To properly prune a branch, cut outside the branch bark ridge and the branch collar. Note the edge of the branch bark ridge between the saw and the trunk.
3. Good pruning job! The limb removed is less than 2 inches in diameter. The bark is not torn. This type of wound should close in two years.
1. Good walnut trees are often suppressed by low quality species. For best growth walnut tops need room to grow. At least 5 feet of clear space around the top is desirable.
2. Kill competing trees by axe girdling and herbicide applications or use a tree injector. All living bark must be severed to kill the tree.
3. Competing trees will die when girdled. And walnut with more room will grow faster. Growth rate may more than double. Only selected crop trees should be released.
About five minutes invested will turn a $10 tree into a potential $200 tree. Remove lower limbs to increase quality and value. Vines should be removed--they compete for growing space and suppress the tree.
Try to obtain at least nine feet of clear length for high value veneer log. Do not remove over one-half of the live tree crown. Twelve to 14 feet is the most common height of pruning required.
Cost share assistance is available through your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Contact your local office for cost share rates and practice specification. For more information or help in managing your woodland, contact the District Forester serving your county or write to: State Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
