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Deer Park WA

I have a small English Walnut tree in my yard that nothing, not even weeds will grow under. I got the seedling from my Grandfather before he passed away. I remember he always burned the leaves from his Walnut tree he told me they were toxic. Are some leaves better than others? I have a real Smorgisboard of trees in my neighbor hood, mostly Mapel, and Poplar. Also how long do they need to compost before being worked into the patch?

11/14/2001 8:29:18 PM

Connecticut

I'm not sure what is the diferance between leaves, but leaves can be worked into the garden in fall if they are shreded.

11/14/2001 8:55:08 PM

Commack, NY

i've heard the same thing about walnut leaves......and the fact that nothing will grow under the tree further solidfies it for me. most use maple, poplar, oak. i think oak has a slight acidifying affect, but not so major that's going to send your ph to 3 or anything. shred them first if you can, they will decompose faster that way. you can add them in the fall, and till them in.

scott

11/14/2001 9:08:57 PM

Columbus Ohio

I use only maple leaves. They break down the fastest and do little to the soil except add organis content. I mulch my leaves with my mower with the mulching kit on. Then I till them in with 5 pounds of Ammoniun sulfate per 1000 square feet along with all the other admendments that my soil test calls for. The added nitrogen will help the leaves to break down quickly.
John

11/15/2001 12:21:01 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Black Walnut tree's the roots the bark the leaves and twigs all contain a toxin known as juglone that causes susceptible plants to wilt and die.
Many English walnuts were actually planted on black walnut root stock.

Glenn Peters

11/15/2001 2:12:02 PM

porterville, calif.

Im in calif, what i know about walnut trees here, it is almopst impossable to grow anything around or under them. There is a toxin in the roots. Even grass and weeds almost won,t grow under them. this is one reason I avoide planting walnot trees in my yard or garden.

11/15/2001 4:02:06 PM

Ga.

Glenn,,,,would this apply to pecan leaves also???

11/15/2001 4:02:14 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I have a few apple trees that run along my lane next to my field. What pumpkin vines that did grow withered up and died early in the season. This area was almost directly below the branch line. Even this fall when I planted my rye in the field, the area directly below the apple tree branches have no rye growing. I know my kids And I grew some bare spots, but the area is perfectly circular below the tree...Tom

11/15/2001 8:26:37 PM