Should I take down my Walnut?

[r0GuE]

It’s a dinosaur. My house is 56 years old and I’m very sure this tree watched the house go up. BUT - - Walnuts are sticky sappy trees that drop immense amounts of icky sticky refuse. There is a maple nearby that will likely fill in the sky-hole. The tree is indeed a majestic cornerstone of the yard,. I guess I’m 50/50 on the ropes. Just thought I float it to TBN. Y’all (or should I say Y’ouns – as a Pittsburgh region person), seem to always have good advice.

Thanks much!

 

[slowrev]

Just my opinion, but I don't like to cut any healthy tree that I can avoid, Unless it is causing a serious problem. What kind of walnut ? My few walnut trees don't seem to cause the same problem as yours is.

Ben

 

[r0GuE]

I was told it is a black walnet, but I don't know. It drops sticky black (psuedo-flower/pollen pods?) in the spring, and sticky leaves in the fall. The squirrels love the tree though! Another concern is that one third of a three stemmed trunk goes nearly horizontal, and one would be concerned it might come down one day in a storm etc.

 

[Jim_Fisher]

r0GuE,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Another concern is that one third of a three stemmed trunk goes nearly horizontal, and one would be concerned it might come down one day in a storm etc. )</font>

I have a lot of black walnut trees, including a big one on the lawn that has a near horizontal trunk stem. My experience has been that storm damage to a walnut is usually confined to snapping the top of a tall tree. They are anchored to the ground by a very deep tap root and might as well be set in concrete. I have never seen one uprooted in a storm.

A 56 year old walnut would be relatively small, probably less that 12" in diameter above the butt swell. From your description, the tree is probably quite old. If it has lasted this long, it's probably not going to be a problem as long as it is alive and healthy.

If it were mine, I'd avoid removing it. If the nuts are good (not all walnut trees produce good nuts - not sure why), you might want to consider cracking them and using them in cookies, nut bread, etc.

 

[Freds]

I'm in a similar situation rogue.
I have a few pine trees and a black walnut in a little sitting area to the side of my house. The walnut is the only tree I really like, but between the constantly falling branches, walnuts laying and rotting and the fact that it looks worse every year (still barely has any leaves on it yet), I think it may be time to "cull" it. The problem is, it's irreplaceable, at least in my lifetime.
Have you priced trees lately, too? Ouch!

 

[goodoleboy]

I would keep the tree, but i dont have any trees and just planted about 20 of them so I would love to be in your situation.
If it ruining the cars paint or something I would remove it or relocate the parking areas if possible.

 

[Dargo]

I have a giant walnut tree (it would take two grown men to wrap their arms around the trunk) and I had a guy offer me $4000 for it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Apparently black walnut trees are in high demand; especially the roots. Since this tree is huge and is one of the tallest in the woodline where it is, I don't want it gone. I told the guy that if it ever goes down in a storm that I'd sell it to him. He told me to call him if it does. So far, the only thing that has fallen is a bunch of nuts and a few squirrels. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You may want to make a few calls to see what it would bring you if it really is huge. The guy told me it depends on how many board feet are in it and how straight it is etc. I know nothing about figuring board feet and was shocked to hear how much a huge walnut tree would bring. Well heck. Now I can't find the guy's name or number. I was going to PM it to you since you can't live all that far from me. Since it's been a few years, I may not be able to find it. I suppose if my tree fell over, he would find me though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[JerryG]

By all means, if you are going to remove it check around for someone to buy it. If it is large enough, they will take it down and pay you for it. Walnut is very high priced.

 

[r0GuE]

Mine is probably 3 or so feet in diameter. I guess I'll keep it, but maybe pull in some of the branches.

 

[JerryG]

If it that large, I think that you would be really surprised what you could get for it. If you ever do decide to get rid of it, make sure that you get someone or some company that just deals in that type of tree. Otherwise, they won't give you as much, because they would just be a middleman.

 

[riptides]

I have officially moved to the farm, where this dead tree just started sprouting leaves. It is massive and gnarly looking.

It is irreplaceable in my lifetime. And probably has seen many a family come and go during its life.

I have thought since it does not represent a danger to anyone or beast, it shall continue to watch my family.

I have become a hugger of trees.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif