Black Walnut
The eastern black walnut is native to a wide region of eastern North America that extends northward into Southern Ontario and Quebec. Strains adapted to prairie conditions have been moved northward into Manitoba and beyond. It is well adapted to eastern North American climatic conditions. The black walnut is prized for its timber as well as the rich flavoured kernels. Our selections were collected from the best trees across the native range for cracking and filling quality as well as hardiness. Seedlings are grown from our best trees. The Duke nut cracker is the best tool for cracking these nuts. Tree size can be 20-25 m (80 ft) in height and spread 20 m (50 ft) at 100 years.
These seedlings are grown from the nuts of the best selections in our orchard for nut production with timber possibilities also. Suited for climate zones 5-8.
Potsdam, NY is the origin of the trees that produced these seedlings. They should have superior hardiness. Suited for climate zones 4-8.
As the name suggests, the parent tree originated in Minnesota where temperatures reach -40 degrees. The nuts from the parent are medium size and they ripen in early September unlike other black walnuts that start ripening at the end of September. Suited for climate zones 3-8.
The original trees were brought north from Fargo, ND to Morden Station in Manitoba where they are doing well in a zone 3 prairie climate. We distributed nuts from this seed source across the Canadian Prairie Provinces where some trees survived in zone 2. The nut is small and the mature trees are smaller and not timber like, but they are the hardiest of our seed sources when grown in prairie conditions. The nuts ripen mid-September. Suited for climate zones 3-6.
'Emma K' is our most productive, annual bearing cultivar. It has the thinnest shell and the largest percentage of nut meat of any of our selections. The nut is oval, medium size and often cracks out half kernels. Suited for climate zones 5b-8.
'Lakeshore' (formally Grimo 108H) The original identity on this selection was lost but it is worthy of propagation. The tree is hardy, vigorous and annually productive. The nut is large and cracks out large pieces. Suited for climate zones 5b-8.
'Sparks 147' Archie Sparks introduced this high quality black walnut cultivar. 'Sparks 147' ranks as one of the best producer that averages 38% kernel. Suited for zone 5b-8.
'Thomas' is a large nut originating in Pennsylvania. It is a biennial bearer, alternating with heavy and lighter crops. It was first grafted in 1885 and is still a popular cultivar. It cracks reasonably well with a large light colored kernel. Suited for climate zones 5b-8.
'Weschcke' Carl Weschcke introduced this hardy selection from Minnesota. The tree is a modest grower and ripens the nuts in mid-September here. The nuts crack out with large kernel pieces. Suited for climate zones 5b-8.