Growing black walnuts for profit is a guide to risks andrewards.

Farmers can grow two types of crops: walnuts and lumber.It will take 12 years for walnuts to produce nuts and 12 more before trees can be used for lumber.Most harvesting doesn't start until the trees are 25.The highest return per acre of all trees used as timber crops can be found after walnuts are ready to be cut.When the trees are 25 years old, they can be used for lumber.As your stand matures, you will have trees available for harvest every year, and continuous nut production.

Land with a pH between 5.0 and 8.0 is a good choice.The soil depth should be three feet for the most productive trees.

You can pay a nominal fee to have your soil tested.You can purchase or borrow equipment from these offices.Multiple plugs can be taken from different locations.Plugs should be mixed together and submitted.This will give you a baseline for how fertile the soil is.

You can plant the walnuts in the area by using a tractor.All vegetation should be removed from the planting area.

The walnuts should be planted in the early spring.Space trees are 18 feet apart for trees that will be used for nut production.You want 25 to 30 trees per acre.For trees that will be used for lumber, the space between them should be at least 15 feet apart.The less work you have to do, the closer the trees are to each other.75 to 100 trees per acre is the goal.You should be prepared to lose 25% of the plants you plant.

Nitrogen-based fertilization will help the trees grow faster.Test your soil at least every five years to make sure the walnuts have all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Pruning begins when the trees are three years old.The lower branches should be removed in the spring in order to make room for the top 1/3 of the trunk.The total height of the tree is what you want the crown to be.