Black Walnut Tree - Ask Extension
There are several large black walnut trees in the backyard of a house we are in the process of purchasing. We have read that the fruit is toxic to do...
Knowledgebase
Black Walnut Tree #878813
Asked July 25, 2024, 8:44 PM EDT
There are several large black walnut trees in the backyard of a house we are in the process of purchasing. We have read that the fruit is toxic to dogs. We love the beauty of the trees and the shade they provide, so we prefer not to cut them down unless absolutely necessary. Is there something we can treat them with that will stop them from producing walnuts?
Tulsa County Oklahoma
Expert Response
There are a couple products that can be used by commercial applicators, but they must be applied each year, Pinscher PGR and Snipper; there is nothing that can be applied just once to stop the flowering and fruiting for the rest of the plant's life. The products are plant growth hormones that must be applied at the time of flowering to reduce fruit development.
It would be a shame to cut down large mature trees, so I encourage you to reach out to a pesticide applicator or certified arborist. Training the dogs to not eat the nuts will also help reduce the chance of them getting sick.
