The possibilities of the establishment and growth of Juglans nigra L. in plantation form in New Brunswick as related to its silvicultural characteristics

Abstract

he purpose of this report was to examine the silvical characteristics of black walnut to determine whether it could be grown in the lower St. John River Valley of southern New Brunswick, (45°50' lat., 66°09' long.). One plantation was planted in the valley with 2+0 seedlings originating from Pointe Platon, Quebec, in the fall of 1971. Of 192 seedlings and approximately 1000 nuts, only 4 seedlings survived to the fall of 1972. The nuts and seedlings were killed by severe spring frost heaving and an exceptionally long flood (7 weeks) of the St. John River. It was found that black walnut can grow in New Brunswick. The trees will not attain the height or diameter growth of those grown in its natural range because of the limitations of a cooler climate, shorter frost free growing season (120 days), late frosts (average annual date is May 21), wind (average during June and July is 8 to 9 mph), freezing rain and hailstorms. The effect of climate could be minimized by selection of a warm, southerly aspect; rich, deep, moist, nearly neutral soils; planting with genetically acclimatized stock; and thinning and pruning the trees on a regular cycle of 5 to 10 years after they become established.