Heartnut
(Japanese Walnut) An easy-to-grow, spreading, attractive tree with large sweet nuts that halve easily. Abundant foliage, bears early and is hardy. A sweeter, easier-cracking nut than black walnut. A good shade tree with a spreading habit that's prettier in the landscape than black walnut. Susceptible to Walnut Bunch Disease. We have grown Heartnuts for 15 years and have not noticed the disease. For the areas of Zone 8 the disease could be more of a problem. Self-fruitful 35' recommended spacing. Zones 5-8.
| Plant Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Pest Resistance | Excellent |
| Disease Resistance | Excellent |
| Drought Tolerance | Very Good |
| Heat Tolerance | Very Good |
| Humidity Tolerance | Excellent |
| Sun Tolerance | Very Good |
| Wet Soil Tolerance | Fair |
| Shade Tolerance | Fair |
| No Spray | Excellent |
| Salt Tolerance | Poor |
| Fun for Kids | Excellent |
| Deer Resistance | Very Good |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Soil Type | Adaptable |
| Edible Type | Nut |
| Self Fertile | Yes | this information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, comments/opinions are always welcome |
Heartnut Care Guide
(Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis) have a valentine heartshaped nut and kernel. The tree is very pretty with lush foliage even more tropical looking the Ailanthus, tree of heaven. Hulling heartnuts is easy. They are an easy addition to one's diet because they are easy to grow, crack out of their hull and delicious. Heartnuts store very well. In fact they improve on their flavor reminiscent to the taste of Brazil nuts.
Heartnuts are very hardy and mature trees are growing in Montreal with some winter damage. Heartnut trees are low headed, spreading laterally from a single short trunk. They are much more ornamental than the American Black Walnut, which is erect and limby. Heartnuts are the most disease resistant trees of the walnut family and should hold their leaves well into fall.
Heartnuts are adaptable to soil types and survive even in soils with a rich moist soil top, with high water table, hardpan or bedrock or cold subsoil underneath. Heartnuts cast @ 70% shade. They make an excellent shade tree. Plant trees 30' apart.
