Home and Auto Black walnut nuisance.

Stanley Nickels · 08-16-2009, 03:55 PM

So, I'm a new homeowner, and one of the things I absolutely dislike about my new place is that I have a large, obnoxious black walnut tree in my back yard. It drops walnuts everywhere (hull still on), which attract insects of all kinds and dull my lawnmower's blade. Further, they ooze a very strong black dye which is impossible to get off of hands, clothes, or whatever else it touches.

I've heard the black walnut trees are valuable, as their wood creates high-quality furniture and some people really enjoy their nuts. But I just can't stand it anymore.

So, my question is this: does anybody have a black walnut tree in their yard; and, if so, how do you manage it? Has anybody sold a black walnut tree, and what did you get for it?

Really, I'd just as soon have somebody cut and haul it on their own dime, keeping whatever lumber and nut profits they make... any chance of that?

chief husker · 08-16-2009, 04:34 PM

I have nine black walnut trees in my yard. You can make the choice to have it cut down for the money. I look at it as chance to keep my arm in shape by throwing them into the creek. Better than a locust tree.

**Buehler445** · 08-16-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief husker

I have nine black walnut trees in my yard. You can make the choice to have it cut down for the money. I look at it as chance to keep my arm in shape by throwing them into the creek. Better than a locust tree.

Truth. My grandad planted a kajillion of those thorny ass mother****ers.

As to the OP, I'd rake them up daily to keep the bugs down and prior to mowing.

Rooster · 08-16-2009, 04:40 PM

Most saw mills will not buy walnut trees that have grown up within city limits. There is too big a chance that a nail might have been driven into the tree at some point in it's life. I don't know where you live but that's just a FYI.

KCBOSS1 · 08-16-2009, 04:42 PM

I don't know what they bring now, but man that wood and the stump use to be worth some money. May still be, I would check into it.

JD10367 · 08-16-2009, 04:50 PM

Black walnuts? Are they more of a nuisance than white walnuts?

**Manila-Chief** · 08-16-2009, 04:50 PM

I was at a missions conference up in MO last winter, and the guy we stayed with was picking up the nuts and selling them. You got kids? A way for them to make some money.

**Bugeater** · 08-16-2009, 04:59 PM

I'd imagine you could find someone to cut it down and haul it away for free if it is an easy drop and not close to power lines or any other structures. Hell I'd do it if you lived near me. Try Craigslist.

**Gonzo** · 08-16-2009, 05:02 PM

Walnut trees make the nicest furniture and gun stocks so... there you go.
Posted via Mobile Device

08-16-2009, 05:03 PM

Where you located?

Stanley Nickels · 08-16-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Where you located?

I'm in Mission, 53rd and Lamar area.

The tree is, in my estimation, about 35 feet tall, about 20 feet south of my house, with a huge free area just south of the trunk. I've looked up what the ripe (ready to bake) fallen nuts look like, and picked a few hundred of them from my lawn. I'll be giving them to my grandpa.

I'm pretty adamant, having read up on the value of the trees, that I'm not going to hire a service. I'll either have somebody come take the tree on their own time, or just deal with it and keep the nuts tidy. It doesn't seem like the guy before me kept the lawn in very good shape, I've found years-old rotten nuts (cue jokes) that have literally deteriorated into the ground.

**Gonzo** · 08-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

I'm in Mission, 53rd and Lamar area.

The tree is, in my estimation, about 35 feet tall, about 20 feet south of my house, with a huge free area just south of the trunk. I've looked up what the ripe (ready to bake) fallen nuts look like, and picked a few hundred of them from my lawn. I'll be giving them to my grandpa.

I'm pretty adamant, having read up on the value of the trees, that I'm not going to hire a service. I'll either have somebody come take the tree on their own time, or just deal with it and keep the nuts tidy. It doesn't seem like the guy before me kept the lawn in very good shape, I've found years-old rotten nuts (cue jokes) that have literally deteriorated into the ground.

Good job cleaning those nuts man. Nobody likes old nasty rotten ones.
Posted via Mobile Device

seclark · 08-17-2009, 07:59 AM

http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...02.html#walnut

Homeowners often call the Forest Resources Extension office with questions regarding their black walnut trees. Sometimes it is to ask why nothing seems to grow under them, but more often it is to ask whether or not there is anyone out there who buys them. They have heard somewhere that these trees are worth quite a bit of money. Unfortunately, this is not usually true for walnuts grown in an urban setting. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) has often been used for furniture, art, gun stocks, and other wood products because of the color, grain and ease of working with the wood. While most logs are turned into lumber, the best logs are turned into veneer. Veneer is a very thin sheet of wood that can be used to cover another species of wood or plywood to give it the appearance of another, in this case, walnut. This allows walnut looking products to be produced at a much lower cost.

Whether the walnut will be used for lumber or veneer, there are several characteristics that determine whether or not the tree is valuable for sale, including trunk diameter, height, branching and whether or not the tree is free of defects. Another concern with urban walnuts is what could possibly be in the trunk itself. An old eye screw from a hammock may be in the tree unknown to both the current owners and therefore could cause harm to the person removing the tree.

Trunk diameter is measured at 4-1/2 feet off the ground. It can be found by measuring around the circumference of the tree and dividing the circumference by 3.14. Most buyers look for trees with a diameter of more than 18 inches. A few may purchase smaller diameter trees if they are a part of a group, but those with a diameter of less than 15 inches are of relatively little value.

Tree height is also taken into consideration. Merchantable height means the trunk height from the base to the point where major branches or trunk forking begin. A buyer will look for trees that would contain logs with a merchantable height of 8-10 feet (this is especially the case for logs that may be used for veneer). In most cases more than one log is necessary for consideration by a buyer.

Tree quality is another consideration. This is measured by how free the trunk is from defects such as crookedness, branches, holes, bumps, cracks, scars, insect or disease damage and wounds. The fewer the defects, the more valuable the tree. In general, the trees with a large diameter and a long trunk free from most defects are the ones that have the greatest potential for being a valuable lumber or veneer tree.

Most trees grown in an urban setting, however, do not usually exhibit these characteristics. An urban tree doesn't have to compete with surrounding trees for light and therefore will often have a shorter trunk with many branches low to the ground. This gives the tree little if any merchantable height. Urban trees are also more likely to have been injured or subject to disease than a tree grown in the forest.

The biggest reason why most buyers will not purchase urban walnuts is the potential risk that they may contain objects imbedded in the trunk that could pose a substantial risk for injury when removing and processing the tree. If the tree is large enough for the owner to consider selling it for lumber, it could very likely have foreign object from 25-50 years ago in its trunk that the owner would have no way of knowing existed.

The last factor is the difficulty and cost of coming to harvest one or two trees in an urban setting. It often makes little economic sense for a buyer to bring a crew and equipment in to harvest the tree. Also, most urban trees grow fairly close to houses, power lines and other structures that make it difficult, expensive and time consuming to harvest.

Although walnuts are not often considered the ideal shade tree for the yard because of the chemical juglone they secrete discourages other plants growing around them; this is often their highest value to the homeowner. A large tree can provide shade, beauty and real-estate value to a home that may not be recovered by trying to sell it for lumber.

Over-Head · 08-16-2009, 05:04 PM

Set up a charcoal BBQ underneith it, hose the tree down with lighter fluid as well, and light a match.
Presto!!!
A weekend long weenie roast that looks totally accidental

Groves · 08-16-2009, 05:08 PM

You can for sure sell the nuts. $150 a ton or something. straight off the tree. My neighbors do it, but they have a few more than one tree. Can't remember the price, either.

As for the wood. It's gorgeous. I'll buy the trunk if it's near Springfield.

08-16-2009, 03:55 PM	Topic Starter
Stanley Nickels [null] Join Date: Sep 2008 Casino cash: $3020893	Black walnut nuisance. So, I'm a new homeowner, and one of the things I absolutely dislike about my new place is that I have a large, obnoxious black walnut tree in my back yard. It drops walnuts everywhere (hull still on), which attract insects of all kinds and dull my lawnmower's blade. Further, they ooze a very strong black dye which is impossible to get off of hands, clothes, or whatever else it touches. I've heard the black walnut trees are valuable, as their wood creates high-quality furniture and some people really enjoy their nuts. But I just can't stand it anymore. So, my question is this: does anybody have a black walnut tree in their yard; and, if so, how do you manage it? Has anybody sold a black walnut tree, and what did you get for it? Really, I'd just as soon have somebody cut and haul it on their own dime, keeping whatever lumber and nut profits they make... any chance of that?
Posts: 6,644

08-16-2009, 04:34 PM	#2
chief husker Safe As Kittens Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Huskerland Casino cash: $10005960	I have nine black walnut trees in my yard. You can make the choice to have it cut down for the money. I look at it as chance to keep my arm in shape by throwing them into the creek. Better than a locust tree.
Posts: 1,608

08-16-2009, 04:40 PM	#4
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	Most saw mills will not buy walnut trees that have grown up within city limits. There is too big a chance that a nail might have been driven into the tree at some point in it's life. I don't know where you live but that's just a FYI. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

08-16-2009, 04:42 PM	#5
KCBOSS1 RAISE EM RIGHT Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arkansas Casino cash: $10005366	I don't know what they bring now, but man that wood and the stump use to be worth some money. May still be, I would check into it.
Posts: 1,927

08-16-2009, 04:50 PM	#6
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	Black walnuts? Are they more of a nuisance than white walnuts?
Posts: 12,916

08-16-2009, 04:50 PM	#7
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	I was at a missions conference up in MO last winter, and the guy we stayed with was picking up the nuts and selling them. You got kids? A way for them to make some money.
Posts: 2,152

08-16-2009, 04:59 PM	#8
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	I'd imagine you could find someone to cut it down and haul it away for free if it is an easy drop and not close to power lines or any other structures. Hell I'd do it if you lived near me. Try Craigslist.
Posts: 70,443

08-16-2009, 05:02 PM	#9
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	Walnut trees make the nicest furniture and gun stocks so... there you go. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 21,498

08-16-2009, 05:03 PM	#10
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Where you located?
Posts: n/a

08-17-2009, 07:59 AM	#13
seclark MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: nemo Casino cash: $1449900	http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...02.html#walnut Homeowners often call the Forest Resources Extension office with questions regarding their black walnut trees. Sometimes it is to ask why nothing seems to grow under them, but more often it is to ask whether or not there is anyone out there who buys them. They have heard somewhere that these trees are worth quite a bit of money. Unfortunately, this is not usually true for walnuts grown in an urban setting. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) has often been used for furniture, art, gun stocks, and other wood products because of the color, grain and ease of working with the wood. While most logs are turned into lumber, the best logs are turned into veneer. Veneer is a very thin sheet of wood that can be used to cover another species of wood or plywood to give it the appearance of another, in this case, walnut. This allows walnut looking products to be produced at a much lower cost. Whether the walnut will be used for lumber or veneer, there are several characteristics that determine whether or not the tree is valuable for sale, including trunk diameter, height, branching and whether or not the tree is free of defects. Another concern with urban walnuts is what could possibly be in the trunk itself. An old eye screw from a hammock may be in the tree unknown to both the current owners and therefore could cause harm to the person removing the tree. Trunk diameter is measured at 4-1/2 feet off the ground. It can be found by measuring around the circumference of the tree and dividing the circumference by 3.14. Most buyers look for trees with a diameter of more than 18 inches. A few may purchase smaller diameter trees if they are a part of a group, but those with a diameter of less than 15 inches are of relatively little value. Tree height is also taken into consideration. Merchantable height means the trunk height from the base to the point where major branches or trunk forking begin. A buyer will look for trees that would contain logs with a merchantable height of 8-10 feet (this is especially the case for logs that may be used for veneer). In most cases more than one log is necessary for consideration by a buyer. Tree quality is another consideration. This is measured by how free the trunk is from defects such as crookedness, branches, holes, bumps, cracks, scars, insect or disease damage and wounds. The fewer the defects, the more valuable the tree. In general, the trees with a large diameter and a long trunk free from most defects are the ones that have the greatest potential for being a valuable lumber or veneer tree. Most trees grown in an urban setting, however, do not usually exhibit these characteristics. An urban tree doesn't have to compete with surrounding trees for light and therefore will often have a shorter trunk with many branches low to the ground. This gives the tree little if any merchantable height. Urban trees are also more likely to have been injured or subject to disease than a tree grown in the forest. The biggest reason why most buyers will not purchase urban walnuts is the potential risk that they may contain objects imbedded in the trunk that could pose a substantial risk for injury when removing and processing the tree. If the tree is large enough for the owner to consider selling it for lumber, it could very likely have foreign object from 25-50 years ago in its trunk that the owner would have no way of knowing existed. The last factor is the difficulty and cost of coming to harvest one or two trees in an urban setting. It often makes little economic sense for a buyer to bring a crew and equipment in to harvest the tree. Also, most urban trees grow fairly close to houses, power lines and other structures that make it difficult, expensive and time consuming to harvest. Although walnuts are not often considered the ideal shade tree for the yard because of the chemical juglone they secrete discourages other plants growing around them; this is often their highest value to the homeowner. A large tree can provide shade, beauty and real-estate value to a home that may not be recovered by trying to sell it for lumber. __________________ "Mr. seclark. Wrong for gravy, wrong for jelly, wrong for biscuits." -rj "If every Planeteer who was disliked by another Planeteer stopped being a Planeteer we wouldn't have any Planeteers." -rj
Posts: 13,402

08-16-2009, 05:04 PM	#14
Over-Head Boom, Boom , Crash Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In my shed Casino cash: $9995760	Set up a charcoal BBQ underneith it, hose the tree down with lighter fluid as well, and light a match. Presto!!! A weekend long weenie roast that looks totally accidental __________________ ...Illegitimus non Carborundum est...
Posts: 12,040

08-16-2009, 05:08 PM	#15
Groves Turning the Corner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Casino cash: $2128541	You can for sure sell the nuts. $150 a ton or something. straight off the tree. My neighbors do it, but they have a few more than one tree. Can't remember the price, either. As for the wood. It's gorgeous. I'll buy the trunk if it's near Springfield.
Posts: 2,381