Planting in the hostile environment of Black Walnut trees

I have two large Black Walnut trees and my neighbors have Black Walnut trees along the property lines. There are research sites on the internet that offer lists of plants that will grow in their hostile environment and I have done a lot of trial and error planting of my own. Does anyone else share this problem and, if so, what success/failure have you had? Several neighbors have removed these old trees from their yards because they are so difficult and because the walnuts are so messy. I hate to see them removed from our neighborhood and would like to set an example for others by effectively landscaping around them. I have started a project that will encompass two of the Black Walnuts and a large Magnolia. I will be keeping a journal as the work progresses and will be happy to share.

Hey, glad to see someone posting from Alabama. How is your Black Walnut trees and landscaping progressing? Would love to see photos. I am from Rainsville, AL and love flowers. Don't do vegetables though.

phytotoxins remain in the soil even w/o trees

just plant resistant list plants. walnut old
trees are beyond gorgeous . beautiful and
awe inspiring with their big arms.

you can encourage ground plants by
limbing up the walnut and it makes for
better air movement less black mould down
by ground level. you probably will need a Tree
trimming person to help.

sheri

We took one very large tree out. :( Besides the "not a single living thing would grow there" issue, the nearly softball size nuts that dropped were damaging the rain gutters and threatening the safety of anyone who walked under it. Lawn mowing became a hard hat affair. It was gorgeous. We had the tree taken down by a local cabinet maker and expert woodworker.

I posted earlier but hit the wrong key and it disappeared....ugggg....!!

Anyway I have to garden around black walnut trees also. I agree with wiggly paw about keeping the bottom branches trimmed off. We did that this year and what a difference. We have one in our front yard and a lilac has shared space with it for many many years and does well every year. We also have purple coneflowers that reseed themselves and would take over the yard if I let them. The butterflys and birds love them. I also plant annuals and this year we had great success with nastursiams and marigolds. DH planted ditch lilies around the tree trunk and of course they come up no matter what! LOL! I also planted a fern on the "shady" side of the tree and it is doing very well. Will know better next year but it really grew great this year.
Oh and I almost forgot...also a moonflower vine in a container as well as along the fence did extremely well. In the back yard I just used container gardening and it worked out really nice as well.

I understand that the leaves should not be used in your compost pile.

I look forward to hearing about your success.....Rose

Well I am in an over 100 year old homestead. There were 15 black walnuts when i came here. I cut them all down. Now i am not advocating that i am just telling you the facts. Many plants of course are sensitive but I found roses would grow, irises, lilacs, sedums, wisteria, lily's, daylilies,
I wanted to grow whatever I liked. I also did not like the black sooty tennis ball size fruits all over my property. I could not even use the leaves for mulch fearing I would kill something!! I killed many plants, dogwoods I tried repeatedly without success.
The roots of one 250 year old tree I had were under the whole yard!! I sold the tree to a wood co. for some money. It was beautiful. I had waited so long to have a place to garden with abandon that I did what I felt I had to do. I missed 3 small ones growing on city property so this year I was able to sneak in and eradicate them before they got too big or we would never be able to park on that whole side of the street because of the dropping fruit bombs!!
I think it is noble to try to preserve them if you can but you must be advised of it's benefits and deficits to make a good decision. Good luck!

I've got an old property with a lot of mature walnuts, especially along the road.
I have had success with redbud trees, peonies, hosta & cotynus (smoke bush - that
spelling looks wrong).

And right now, its fall. If you stand outside, you can hear all the walnuts falling
to the ground. And just don't try walking on the hillside or you'll find its like walking
on marbles. Squirrels are mighty pleased!

If you haven't tried this site, it may help you: ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1148.html