We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Juglans ailanthifolia - Carrière.

Common Name Japanese Walnut
Family Juglandaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests[11].
Range E. Asia - Japan.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (5 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Juglans ailanthifolia Japanese Walnut


http://www.flickr.com/photos/wlcutler/3575450056/
Juglans ailanthifolia Japanese Walnut
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wlcutler/

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Juglans ailanthifolia is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

J. allardiana. J. correctata. J. lavellei. J. mirabunda. J. sachalinense. J. sieboldiana. non Goeppe

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Seed - raw, cooked or used in confectionery[22, 105, 177, 183]. A very good flavour[2]. The shell is easily cracked[117]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed, but it tends to go rancid quickly[183]. Young buds (flower?) and fruit stalks - cooked[105, 177, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Astringent  Diuretic  Kidney  Lithontripic  Pectoral  Skin  Tonic


The bark is anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, lithontripic, pectoral, skin, tonic (kidneys)[178].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Companion  Dye  Herbicide  Oil  Tannin  Wood

A brown dye is obtained from the seed husks and the bark[61]. Rich in tannin, it does not require a mordant. The bark is rich in tannin. It is used as a dye and also medicinally[178]. Plants produce chemicals which can inhibit the growth of other plants. These chemicals are dissolved out of the leaves when it rains and are washed down to the ground below, reducing the growth of plants under the tree[18, 20, 159]. The roots of many members of this genus produce substances that are toxic to many plant species, especially apples (Malus species), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp and the white pines (certain Pinus spp.)[200]. Wood - soft, light, not easily cracked, of good quality. Used for cabinet making etc[46, 61]. A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a deep well-drained loam and a sunny position sheltered from strong winds[1, 11]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil[200]. This is the hardiest member of the genus, capable of growing in all areas of Britain[63]. It is also resistant to the attacks of most insects[160]. The young growth in spring, however, can be damaged by late frosts. This species is cultivated for its edible seed in Japan, it has the potential for producing very superior nuts, especially if hybridized with J. cinerea[117, 160]. Trees can come into bearing within 3 - 4 years from seed[63]. Plants produce a deep taproot and they are intolerant of root disturbance[1, 11]. Seedlings should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and given some protection since they are somewhat tender when young[1, 11]. Flower initiation depends upon suitable conditions in the previous summer[200]. The flowers and young growths can be destroyed by even short periods down to -2°c, but fortunately plants are usually late coming into leaf[200]. Any pruning should only be carried out in late summer to early autumn or when the plant is fully dormant otherwise wounds will bleed profusely and this will severely weaken the tree[200]. Trees have a dense canopy which tends to reduce plant growth below them. We have no specific information for this species, but the roots of several members of this genus produce substances that are toxic to many plant species, especially apples (Malus species), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp and the white pines (certain Pinus spp.)[200]. The leaves of many species also secrete substances that have an inhibitory affect on plants growing underneath them. All in all this is not a very good companion plant[K]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a standard with a non-suckering single trunk [1-2]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual deep pots in a cold frame[80]. You need to protect it from mice, birds, squirrels etc. The seed usually germinates in late winter or the spring. Plant out the seedlings into their permanent positions in early summer and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two. The seed can also be stored in cool moist conditions (such s the salad compartment of a fridge) over the winter and sown in early spring but it may then require a period of cold stratification before it will germinate[78, 80].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Heartnut

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Juglans ailanthifolia cordiformisHeartseed WalnutTree20.0 4-8 MLMHNM414
Juglans californicaCalifornia Walnut, Southern California walnutTree6.0 7-10 MLMHNM212
Juglans cathayensisChinese WalnutTree20.0 4-8  LMHNM301
Juglans cinereaButternut - White Walnut, ButternutTree25.0 3-7 MLMHNM333
Juglans hindsiiHind's Black Walnut, Northern California walnut, Paradox hybrid walnutTree15.0 8-9 MLMHNM303
Juglans intermediaHind's Black Walnut, Northern California walnut, Paradox hybrid walnuHTree30.0 4-8  LMHNM301
Juglans majorArizona WalnutTree15.0 8-11 FLMHNM202
Juglans mandschuricaManchurian WalnutTree20.0 4-8  LMHNM314
Juglans microcarpaTexas Walnut, Little walnut, Stewart's little walnutTree10.0 5-9  LMHNM203
Juglans neotropicaAndean WalnutTree25.0 10-12 SLMHNM324
Juglans nigraBlack WalnutTree30.0 4-9 FLMHNM334
Juglans olanchanaOlancho walnut, Central American walnutTree45.0 10-12 MLMHSNMWe203
Juglans regiaWalnut, English walnut, Persian Walnut,Tree20.0 7-9 MLMHNM434
Juglans regia fallaxWalnutTree30.0 4-8  LMHNM301
Juglans regia kamaoniaWalnutTree30.0 4-8  LMHNM333
Juglans sinensis Tree20.0 -  LMHNM311
Juglans x bisbyiBuartnutTree20.0 4-8  LMHNM302

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Carrière.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Juglans ailanthifolia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.