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Squirrel burying nuts #872560
Asked June 11, 2024, 9:27 AM EDT
Cuyahoga County Ohio
Expert Response
I am guessing you are referring to a black walnut as its production of juglone is well-known. Other related trees produce juglone but not to the extent that a black walnut tree does. Half a piece of a shelled walnut is not likely to affect your garden. Most of the toxicity is in the roots, leaves, stems, nut hulls and buds of the tree.
A shelled walnut, like all plants will decompose. The length of time it takes will depend upon a number of factors such as pH of soil, water available, soil composition, etc.
When a black walnut decomposes it is nearly neutral so the pH will be near 7.0.
A black walnut is usually produced without pesticides so it is probably organic and won’t affect your soil.
Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, asparagus are susceptible to juglone and some, such as corn, beans, carrots, squash are not. The most common symptoms are yellowing and wilting of leaves. However, there are other factors that may affect a plant and those should be considered first, especially since the nut was shelled.
I researched a number of articles and most mentioned that little is known about juglone and the information is based on one research project done many years ago. However, there are many interesting articles about black walnut toxicity. If you’re interested you may wish to read some of them: https://extension.psu.edu/landscaping-and-gardening-around-walnuts-and-other-juglone-producing-plants ,
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/black-walnut-toxicity/, https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/3629/killer-tree.html
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/black-walnut-toxicity/
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/juglans/nigra.htm
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Squirrel burying nuts
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Freda
I am guessing you are referring to a black walnut as its production of juglone is well-known. Other related trees produce juglone but not to the extent that a black walnut tree does. Half a piece of a shelled walnut is not likely to affect your garden. Most of the toxicity is in the roots, leaves, stems, nut hulls and buds of the tree.
A shelled walnut, like all plants will decompose. The length of time it takes will depend upon a number of factors such as pH of soil, water available, soil composition, etc.
When a black walnut decomposes it is nearly neutral so the pH will be near 7.0.
A black walnut is usually produced without pesticides so it is probably organic and won’t affect your soil.
Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, asparagus are susceptible to juglone and some, such as corn, beans, carrots, squash are not. The most common symptoms are yellowing and wilting of leaves. However, there are other factors that may affect a plant and those should be considered first, especially since the nut was shelled.
I researched a number of articles and most mentioned that little is known about juglone and the information is based on one research project done many years ago. However, there are many interesting articles about black walnut toxicity. If you’re interested you may wish to read some of them: https://extension.psu.edu/landscaping-and-gardening-around-walnuts-and-other-juglone-producing-plants ,
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/black-walnut-toxicity/, https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/3629/killer-tree.html
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/black-walnut-toxicity/
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/juglans/nigra.htm
