Have you ever wondered about the strength of a walnut tree, and how likely they might be to fall? I hope you haven’t had to consider this first-hand, but in the case that this situation of a fallen walnut tree does come up, we want you to be prepared!
The strength of a walnut tree partly has to do with the genetic traits of this tree and partly with the maintenance and care of each individual walnut tree.
Typically though, walnut trees are very strong and it takes significant damage to cause a walnut tree to fall.
Walnut trees are part of a genus of about 20 different species of walnut trees. This deciduous tree may be strong and adaptable, but to what end? What has the power to topple this gentle giant?
Let’s get into the specifics of walnut trees, before we go that far, though.
What Makes A Walnut Tree A Walnut Tree?
A walnut tree is a deciduous tree, which means that it loses its leaves in the fall months to prepare for winter before regaining them again in the springtime.
Walnut trees tend to be large, vigorous organisms with a canopy that spreads rapidly and far across.
Perhaps the most well-known aspect of a walnut tree is its, well…walnuts.
This nut is classified as a true nut, which means that it is a specific kind of dry fruit that contains one seed, the walnut itself, surrounded by a hard shell and a protective husk. That pretty much fits the description of a walnut, hence this classification.
What’s more, walnuts are rich in antioxidants, help to decrease inflammation, and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. These benefits make this a very popular nut used in many common dishes found across regions and countries.
How Strong Are Walnut Trees?
It’s great that walnuts are so beneficial, but what does this have to do with the resiliency of the tree itself? Is a walnut tree strong? If so, how strong?
These are all great questions, and very valid when it comes to defining the features of this common plant.
The wood of walnut trees is extremely durable, so no wonder it was a favorite back when people more commonly built log cabins and other styles of wood houses by hand.
This is a good sign when it comes to the sturdiness of the tree itself, too. The black walnut can grow up to around 75 feet tall when left to grow completely in the open, so this tree is not only durable but is also a giant among its kind.
If you want to learn more about walnut trees, check out our article Here’s How Often Walnut Trees Actually Bear Walnuts!
What Might Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall?
So, if walnut trees are so strong, what might cause this tree to fall?
There are many factors, mostly natural ones, that can cause this. While human interference can of course topple even the tallest and strongest of trees, we know that is probably of lesser interest to you. This article is about knowing what to expect when it comes to the possibility of your tree falling, so that is what we will focus on here today.
Let’s get into it!
Storm Damage Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall
Storm damage is often an unexpected, unplanned at the least, an occurrence that can be detrimental to any plants that you have, as well as to structures, livestock, and other parts of your property.
If a tornado comes plowing through your region, extreme winds could surely cause your walnut tree to fall. Mother nature has little regard for even the largest and most adaptable of trees.
In a situation like this, unfortunately not much prevention is possible. Knowing that this is a possibility to expect is going to be the best preparation you can give yourself.
Extreme Decay Caused By Infestation Or Disease Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall
This next possibility can be both prevented and remedied, in certain cases.
As this is an example of a situation that would take place over a longer period of time, you have more agency in what happens to your tree.
Let’s say that your tree is infested by insects. Depending on the situation you could prune certain branches, spray solutions, take preventative measures, or practice other remedial techniques.
When it comes to disease, again, your response will depend on the disease, the severity, and how long the issue has been taking place.
There are things you can do like general maintenance and preventative care to help curb this type of scenario before it even begins.
While disease and infestation are not ideal, they are certainly more manageable than a natural disaster or some sort of freak storm.
A Combination Of Situations Could Cause A Walnut Tree To Fall
There is always the possibility that this long-term situation like disease or infestation (or diseased caused by infestation) can lead a tree to decay and weaken. Then, when any sort of natural disaster or event occurs, the tree will not be as readily able to resist the forces of nature.
A weakened tree is much more likely to fall in a storm than a strong, healthy, and well-maintained tree.
So, that being said, how do you make sure your walnut tree remains one of the latter?
Sometimes, you just need to go ahead and cut down your tree. Check out our article on the 7 reasons you might need to remove your walnut tree.
How To Keep Your Walnut Tree Healthy
There are a few simple steps to follow that will ensure you are caring for your tree in a sustainable, encouraging manner. Following these steps may not save your tree from every possible accident or scenario that might occur, but it will help you to know that you have done what you can in preparing your tree to thrive for the duration of its long lifespan.
General Maintenance Of Your Walnut Tree
First, you can set your walnut tree up for success by making sure to keep an eye on it in a very general sense. Paying attention to your tree will help you to notice early on if there are signs of disease, infestation, or malnourishment in any way.
General maintenance includes pruning your tree as needed, making sure that nothing obstructs your tree from the roots to the branches, and protecting your tree from any pests that may cause it harm.
Especially if your walnut tree happens to be a young one, using something like this MTB Green Garden Border Folding Fence can make all the difference and ensure that nothing weakens the young exterior of your tree.
Water Your Walnut Tree
Watering your walnut tree, or any kind of tree that you might care for is a crucial and easy step to ensuring that your tree has all the possible tools for success.
An under-watered tree, just like a person or animal, is going to be extremely dehydrated and much less able to put its energy to growing taller and stronger. Instead, the focus will turn to surviving rather than thriving.
If you’re concerned about remembering to thoroughly water your tree, you can always rely on an irrigation system such as this Flantor Drip Irrigation Kit to ensure that water is provided to your tree at regular intervals as set by you ahead of time.
If you’re interested in learning more about walnut trees, you can find more in our article 8 Differences Between Black Walnut Trees and Walnut Trees!
Fertilize To Save A Life
Fertilizing your tree is important in all scenarios, but especially when you are trying to promote growth and sustain healthy habits within your tree.
Walnut trees tend to need a pretty nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. So, you can easily opt for an NPK 20-10-10 and know that you have made a solid choice.
If you’re relatively new here, NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and refers to the balance of these different elements in a given type of fertilizer.
You can easily find this kind of fertilizer online, and opting for a product like this Voluntary Purchasing Group Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food (NPK 19-8-10) can also keep you from breaking the bank!
That’s All For Today!
Alright, thanks for sticking around with us. If you do what you can to keep your walnut tree healthy and stable, hopefully, it will be less susceptible to falling during a bad storm.
However, it’s worth mentioning that these sorts of situations are not always preventable!
Remember, we are all on this tree journey together.
So, keep on keeping on and we’ll see you soon!
References:
Appleton, B. L., Berrier, R., Harris, R., Alleman, D., & Swanson, L. (2000). The walnut tree: allelopathic effects and tolerant plants.
Karczmarz, K. (2010). Numerical strength dynamics of Chromaphis juglandicola (Kalt. 1843) on common walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Lublin town plantings. Acta Scientirum Polonorum Hortorum Cultus, 9(4), 121-132.
McMahon, L. (2001). To a Fallen Walnut Tree. The Southern Review, 37(2), 305.
