4 Ways To Increase Your Young Walnut Tree's Chances Of Survival
Posted on: 10 June 2015
Walnut trees grow tall and majestic, producing nuts that make delicious snacks. Unfortunately, a lot of people plant young walnut trees on their property, only to have them wither away and die a year or two later. If you're planning on planting a walnut tree or two, follow these tips to increase your chances of success:
Make sure the soil is well-drained.
Walnut trees need plenty of water, but they will not tolerate water-logged soil; it will drown their roots. If the soil in the area where you plan on planting your walnut tree floods, you may want to dig a drainage ditch or two, and then observe the area to make sure it is draining better before you plant your trees. You could also have a load or two of soil brought in to build up the low spots and thus encourage them to drain better.
Dig a wide hole when you plant your tree.
This is especially important if your soil is firm and compacted. Digging a hole that's about twice as wide as the tree's roots ensures the roots have some soft soil to begin growing through during the tree's first few weeks in the ground.
Don't over-fertilize your trees.
When it comes to fertilizer, more is not better. Over-fertilizing can throw off the pH and nitrogen balances of your soil, making it inhospitable for the walnut trees. Walnuts have pretty low nitrogen needs when they are young. Thus, fertilizing once a year, in the early spring, using a balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer, is all you need to do.
Avoid over-pruning the trees.
While it is important to prune the tree while it is young in order to ensure it grows into an attractive shape, there is a fine line between proper pruning and over-pruning. If you remove too many branches, your walnut tree won't have enough leaves left to make food and survive. Always prune your trees in the early spring before buds appear. Remove no more than 1/3 of the branches, and focus on removing smaller branches rather than large, sturdy one. If you are new to tree trimming, it's wise to hire a professional like Darrel Emel's Tree Service to do this for you, so you don't accidentally compromise your trees' health.
Walnut trees are finicky to grow and care for, but once they are established, they will keep growing with little maintenance. The tips above can be applied to both black and English walnut varieties.
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