Walnut Varieties

Selecting Walnut Varieties and pollinators is crucial for a successful walnut orchard. Here’s how to make the right choices:

Step 1. Determine Climate and Soil Conditions:

• Choose walnut varieties and pollinators that are well-suited to your region’s climate and soil type.
• Consider factors such as temperature, rainfall, and soil pH to ensure optimal growth and fruit production.

Step 2. Assess Variety Compatibility:

• Select pollinator varieties that are compatible with the main walnut varieties you intend to grow.
• Some walnut varieties require specific pollinators for effective cross-pollination, so research compatibility beforehand.

Step 3. Consider Orchard Size and Layout:

• Determine the size and layout of your orchard to determine how many walnut saplings and pollinators you need.
• Plan for proper spacing between trees to allow for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration.

Step 4. Seek Expert Advice:

• Consult with local agricultural extension services, nurseries, or experienced walnut growers in your area.
• They can provide valuable insights into which varieties and pollinators perform best in your specific location.

Step 5. Purchase Healthy Plants:

• Obtain walnut saplings from reputable nurseries that offer healthy, disease-resistant plants with strong root systems.
• Inspect the saplings for signs of pests, diseases, or root damage before purchasing.

Step 6. Understand Pollination Requirements:

• Familiarize yourself with the pollination needs of your chosen walnut varieties.
• Determine whether your selected varieties are self-pollinating or require cross-pollination with compatible pollinator varieties.

By following these steps, you can select the right walnut saplings and pollinators to establish a thriving orchard and ensure a bountiful harvest.

Walnut Varieties

Chandler Walnut

• Awakening: Early April
• Fruit Distribution: Concentrated on lateral branches
• Yield: High
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 13 gr, Nutmeat: 6.5 gr
• Shell: Thin, easy to crack
• Nutmeat: Light color, easy to separate from shell
• Disease: Susceptible to bacterial blight
• Pollinator: Cisco, Franquette, Fernette
• Harvest: Early October

Franquette Walnut

• Awakening: Mid-April
• Fruit Distribution: On the ends of branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 11 gr, Nutmeat: 5.5 gr
• Shell: Medium thickness, light color
• Nutmeat: High quality
• Pollinator: Chandler
• Harvest: Mid-October

Cisco Walnut

• Awakening: Mid-April (before Franquette)
• Fruit Distribution: On the ends of branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 14 gr, Nutmeat: 7 gr
• Shell: Hard, nutmeat color is medium light
• Pollinator: Chandler, Howard
• Harvest: Second week of October

Pedro Walnut

• Awakening: Early April
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 11 gr, Nutmeat: 5.5 gr
• Pollinator: Cisco, Franquette (self-pollination difficult)
• Harvest: Early October
• Note: Suitable for high altitudes, requires heavy pruning to reach desired size

Payne/Ashley Walnut

• Awakening: Mid-March
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 13 gr, Nutmeat: 6.5 gr
• Shell: Hard, easy to separate
• Harvest: Mid-September
• Note: Sensitive to frost events, not recommended for regions that fall below freezing in March

Serr Walnut

• Awakening: Late March
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 14 gr, Nutmeat: 7 gr
• Shell: Thin, fills the nutmeat, light color
• Pollinator: Not required (self-pollinating)
• Harvest: Mid-October
• Note: Sensitive to early nut drop due to excessive pollination

Hartley Walnut

• Awakening: Early April (same as Chandler)
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: High
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 14 gr, Nutmeat: 7 gr
• Shell: Medium thickness
• Disease: Susceptible to bacterial diseases
• Pollinator: Cisco, Franquette
• Harvest: Early October
• Note: Good drainage should be provided, care should be taken to prevent the soil from staying wet for long periods

Eureka Walnut

• Awakening: Late March
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: Medium
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 15 gr, Nutmeat: 7.5 gr
• Shell: Thick, nutmeat color is dark
• Disease: Susceptible to sunburn

Tulare Walnut

• Awakening: Early April (just before Chandler)
• Fruit Distribution: On lateral branches
• Yield: High
• Fruit Weight: Shelled and dried: 14 gr, Nutmeat: 7 gr
• Shell: Thin, light color
• Pollinator: Not required (self-pollinating)
• Harvest: Late September
• Note: Not recommended for planting in climates with spring frosts

Important Note:

The awakening and harvesting times given above may vary depending on climate and location. This information is intended as a general guide. Be sure to research the specific conditions of the area where you will be growing walnuts.

Pollinator Selection:

Walnut fruit requires pollination to form. One in 10 trees in the orchard may need to be a pollinator variety.

Pollinator Recommendations:

• Chandler – Franguette, Cisco
• Pedro   Franguette, Cisco
• Fernor   Fernette, Franguette
• Hartley   Franguette, Amigo
• Payne   Chandler, Hartley, Chico
• Fernette   Fernor
• Yalova-1   Şeb
• Yalova-2   Yalova-1, Şebin, Bilecik
• Yalova-3   Yalova-1, Bilecik, Tokat
• Yalova-4   Yalova-1, Kaplan-86
• Bilecik   Şebin, Yalova-3, Yavuz-1
• Şebin   Bilecik, Yavuz-1, Şen-1
• Kaman   Bilecik, Şebin,
• Yavuz-1   Şebin, Bilecik, Yalova-3.

Choosing a Walnut Sapling:

• Purchase from a reliable sapling seller based on the climate and soil conditions of your region.
• Choose a young walnut sapling with healthy roots.