How Do You Plant Near A Black Walnut Tree?
All parts of the black walnut tree contain juglone, a substance that inhibits growth of or kills some plants, trees and shrubs. Once afflicted, a susceptible plant can’t be saved and will continue to languish from the affects of the juglone and eventually die. It’s easy to mistake juglone-toxicity symptoms for other plant maladies: affected plants wilt, the leaves turn yellow, and growth is stunted. Juglone is released into the soil for up to three years even after the black walnut tree dies. Rake up and haul away (do not compost) black walnut leaves, pods, nuts and other debris as soon as it falls so that it will not release the juglone into the soil as it decomposes; this will minimize juglone concentrations in your landscape and minimize problems for surrounding plantings with juglone sensitivity. Establish your vegetable garden well away from the black walnut tree and its underground root system, which will extend 50 to 60 feet from the trunk of a large tree. Garden favorites such
