What Tree Species Grow Well With the Black Walnut Tree?
- The compound leaves of walnut trees turn bright yellow in fall.walnuts in fall image by Samuray from Fotolia.com
Black walnuts (Juglans nigra) are large, impressive trees, reaching heights of 75 to 150 feet. Unfortunately their roots secrete a substance known as juglone, which is poisonous to many plants. Juglone can affect plants as far away as 50 or 60 feet from the trunk of the black walnut, so it's not a tree to plant in a small yard. Not all plants are poisoned by the toxin, however, and there are several lovely trees you can choose to plant as companions to black walnuts. - Some Japanese maples have lacy foliage.japanese maple image by Kathryn Palmer from Fotolia.com
Several types of maples (Acer) grow well near black walnut trees. The University of Ohio recommends Japanese maples (A. palmatum) as good companion plants. They grow best in full sun, but the lacy-leaved varieties require partial shade to protect leaves from sun scorch. Native species like the red maple (A. rubrum) and the sugar maple (A. saccharum) also are unaffected by juglone. All these maples have beautiful fall color. Red maples are hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, and the sugar maple in Zones 4 through 8. The hardiness of Japanese maples depends on cultivar. - A white-flowerd variety of redbud is available.eastern redbud tree. image by Vonora from Fotolia.com
The eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) is a native understory tree. It's used in home landscapes as a small specimen or patio tree. In spring, lavender-pink, pea-like blooms spring directly from the tree's branches before the heart-shaped leaves emerge. Plant this 20- to 30-foot tree in full sun or light shade for best flowering. Redbuds prefer moist soil but are drought tolerant once established. They are hardy in Zones 4 through 9. - Dogwoods have brilliant scarlet fall color.dogwood and maple image by Bobby4237 from Fotolia.com
Virginia Tech's extension service recommends using the native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) as a companion plant to black walnuts. Dogwoods have small flowers surrounded by showy white bracts in spring, followed by bright red fall berries. There are many named cultivars available in nurseries, including some featuring pink flowers or variegated leaves. Plant dogwoods in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. They are hardy in Zones 5 through 9. - The southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) has huge heart-shaped leaves that provide a good textural contrast to black walnut's compound leaves. It can reach up to 40 feet high and has a spreading, irregular crown. Long brown seed pods in the fall give the tree its common names, the cigar or Indian bean tree. Plant catalpa in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil but once established is drought tolerant. It is hardy in Zones 5 through 8.
- Crabapple trees flower in spring.crabapple flower red image by A74.FR Ben Fontaine from Fotolia.com
Crabapples (Malus) are four-season performers in the home landscape. Spring flowers come in white, pink and red. Fruiting varies by variety but when produced, the fruits are highly ornamental and bring wildlife to your yard. Some cultivars have outstanding fall color. The persisting fruit and twisted branches are beautiful in the winter garden. There is much variation in tree size among cultivars. Crabapples flower best in full sun. Hardiness depends on cultivar but crabapples are grown throughout the U.S.
