Tips for Planting Around Black Walnut Trees
Clean up leaves and debris from under the tree and compost well. The leaves, twigs, and nuts all have juglone in them.
Ensure there is a high level of organic matter always present. Annual compost and mulch will go a long way in improving soils. A high organic matter soil will promote healthier microbial populations which help to metabolize toxic substances. It will also help to drain and leach the soil more quickly.
Plant vegetation that is tolerant of Black Walnuts. Below is a list of many of those plants. This list is by no means complete and some plants show conflicting evidence. Soil type has a lot to do with levels of susceptibility of surrounding plants.
Vines
Clematis
Virginia Creeper
Wild Grape
Wisteria
Trees and Shrubs
American Arborvitae
White Ash
American Beech
Birch
Black Cherry
Black Gum
Buckeye
Catalpa
Eastern Red Cedar
White Cedar
Dogwood
Box Elder
Elderberry
Elm
Fringe Tree
Hawthorn
Hazlenut
Canadian Hemlock
Hibiscus
Hickory
American Holly
Honeylocust
Honeysuckle
Native Hydrangea
Juniper
Black Locust
Maple spp. except Silver
Ninebark
Oak spp.
Pawpaw
Persimmon
Virginia Pine
Prunus spp.
Black Raspberry
Eastern Redbud
Sassafras
Serviceberry
Carolina Silverbell
Spicebush
Sumac
Sweetgum
Sycamore
Tulip Tree
Blackhaw
Maple-leaved Viburnum
Witherod Viburnum
American Cranberry Bush Viburnum
Witch Hazel
Herbaceous
Anemone
Aster spp.
Bloodroot
Virginia Bluebell
Butterfly Weed
Coral Bells,
Dicentra spp.
Echinacea
Ferns
Geraniums
Goldenrod
Helianthus spp.
Iris spp.
Jacob’s Ladder
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Lobelia spp.
May Apple
Meadowrue
Monarda spp.
Phlox spp.
Wild Rose
Rudbeckia
Sedum
Solomon’s Seal
Spiderwort
Springbeauty
Sunflower
Trillium
Vernonia spp.
Violet
Wisteria
Yarrow
Plants Not Tolerant of Black Walnuts
Alder
Apple
Aronia spp.
Azalea
White Birch
Blackberry
Blueberry
Domestic Grape
Linden
Silver Maple
Mountain Laurel
Pine
Rhododendron
Plants to Attract Birds
Birds are attracted to plants for a number of reasons. They rely on the seeds and berries for sustenance. They also depend on certain plants for shelter and nesting. Birds are attracted to the insects that feed and take shelter on these plants.
Plants to Attract Pollinators
Bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and flies are necessary in the pollination of most plants. They are an absolute integral part of a balanced, healthy ecosystem. Pollination is one of the most important factors in a functioning community.
Plants to Attract Butterflies
Butterflies will use these plants for food and shelter. They feed on the nectar and help to pollinate the plants. These plants are also food sources or host plants to the caterpillars which will eventually turn into butterflies and moths.
Tips for Planting Around Black Walnut Trees
Black Walnut trees affect the plants around them through a process known as allelopathy. Plants which use allelopathy secrete biochemical substances which inhibit the growth of plants nearby.
Proper Planting Procedure
Choose the Right plant for the Right place. Make sure the size and culture requirements of the plant matches it’s home in your yard.
Establishing your New Plant
After following proper planting procedures it is important to maintain adequate moisture in the soil while the plant establishes new roots.
April through November.