Juglans ailanthifolia
| Juglans ailanthifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 66' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Juglans ailanthifolia (common name: japanese walnut)
Propagation: The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual deep pots in a cold frame[1]. You need to protect it from mice, birds, squirrels etc. The seed usually germinates in late winter or the spring. Plant out the seedlings into their permanent positions in early summer and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two.
The seed can also be stored in cool moist conditions (such s the salad compartment of a fridge) over the winter and sown in early spring but it may then require a period of cold stratification before it will germinate[2][1].
Cultivation: Requires a deep well-drained loam and a sunny position sheltered from strong winds[3][4]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil[5].
This is the hardiest member of the genus, capable of growing in all areas of Britain[6]. It is also resistant to the attacks of most insects[7]. The young growth in spring, however, can be damaged by late frosts.
This species is cultivated for its edible seed in Japan, it has the potential for producing very superior nuts, especially if hybridized with J. cinerea[8][7]. Trees can come into bearing within 3 - 4 years from seed[6].
Plants produce a deep taproot and they are intolerant of root disturbance[3][4]. Seedlings should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and given some protection since they are somewhat tender when young[3][4].
Flower initiation depends upon suitable conditions in the previous summer[5]. The flowers and young growths can be destroyed by even short periods down to -2°c, but fortunately plants are usually late coming into leaf[5].
Any pruning should only be carried out in late summer to early autumn or when the plant is fully dormant otherwise wounds will bleed profusely and this will severely weaken the tree[5].
Trees have a dense canopy which tends to reduce plant growth below them. We have no specific information for this species, but the roots of several members of this genus produce substances that are toxic to many plant species, especially apples (Malus species), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp and the white pines (certain Pinus spp.)[5]. The leaves of many species also secrete substances that have an inhibitory affect on plants growing underneath them. All in all this is not a very good companion plant[K].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Forests[4].
Edibility: Seed - raw, cooked or used in confectionery[9][10][11][12]. A very good flavour[13]. The shell is easily cracked[8].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed, but it tends to go rancid quickly[12].
Young buds (flower?) and fruit stalks - cooked[10][11][12].
Medicinal: The bark is anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, lithontripic, pectoral, skin, tonic (kidneys)[14].
Usage: A brown dye is obtained from the seed husks and the bark[15]. Rich in tannin, it does not require a mordant.
The bark is rich in tannin. It is used as a dye and also medicinally[14].
Plants produce chemicals which can inhibit the growth of other plants. These chemicals are dissolved out of the leaves when it rains and are washed down to the ground below, reducing the growth of plants under the tree[16][17][18]. The roots of many members of this genus produce substances that are toxic to many plant species, especially apples (Malus species), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp and the white pines (certain Pinus spp.)[5].
Wood - soft, light, not easily cracked, of good quality. Used for cabinet making etc[19][15].
Pollinators: Wind
Notes: If we buy in seed we could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: J. allardiana. J. correctata. J. lavellei. J. mirabunda. J. sachalinense. J. sieboldiana. non Goeppert.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Howes, Frank. Nuts. Faber, 1948.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rosengarten Jr., Frederic. The Book of Edible Nuts. Dover, 1984.
- ↑ Douglas, James. Alternative Foods.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ McPherson, Alan and Sue McPherson. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press, 1977.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.