By BUCK KLINE

By BUCK KLINE

Rappahannock New* Contributing Writer

Anyone with an eye leaned toward observing nature knows that black walnut is one of the first trees to warn of the oncoming fall and winter. The trees in my back yard have already shed most of their leaves and some nuts are now beginning to drop. ,

Many people gather these nuts to crack. The flavorful kernels can either be sold or used in your kitchen. Wildlife also makes use of these nuts which the tree begins to bear in good numbers when it is about 30 years old. It is a favorite food of squirrels, especially fox squirrels. Some birds, such as the red bellied woodpecker, as well as whitetail deer and black bear have been known to eat the nuts. Squirrels usually will bury some nuts for winter. Oftentimes they forget where they were buried and a new seedling will sprout the following spring. In fact, an amazing number of walnut trees originate in this way.

The walnut tree is a member of the hickory family. Only two species of walnut are found in the eastern United States — black walnut and butternut — however, there are 20 species worldwide. Walnut trees are most easily identified by their compound leaves and nuts. In the winter, they are easily identified by their odor. Simply cut the bark or scratch a twig with a pocket knife. The thick twigs and dark, furrowed bark are good clues also.

Most good quality black walnut grows in coves and well drained bottoms where the soil is moist and fertile. Usually where yellow poplar and white ash are found, walnuts can be found also. On a good site a walnut tree may live to be 250 years old. Years ago in Indiana, walnut trees were measured that were 150 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. The State Champion of Virginia, found in Colonial Williamsburg, is 100 feet tall with a circumference of 16 feet. 4