Black Walnuts in pasture

Your horses may not have had problems yet or ever will, but it is a good idea not to pasture them with black walnut trees.

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/plant45.htm

BLACK WALNUT

Juglans nigra

(walnut family)

TOXICITY RATING: Moderately toxic, depending upon length of exposure.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: Horses, dogs, possibly other animals.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Laminitis, breathing problems, gastroenteritis.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: These familiar trees are recent additions to the list of poisonous plants. Little information is yet available about their toxicity. Black walnuts are large (60-80 foot) forest trees often

planted as ornamentals. The bark has characteristic broad, round ridges. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 1 to 2 feet long, with 13 to 23 sharply toothed, tapered-pointed leaflets (fig. 45). Often there is no terminal leaflet. The fruit is a very rough nut enclosed within a clammy glandular husk, 2 to 4 inches in diameter (fig. 45A).

SIGNS: Horses are most often affected. When horses are bedded on wood shavings containing more than about 20% of black walnut shavings (which tend to be dark in color), clinical signs of laminitis (inflammation of the laminae in the hoof) can occur within 12 to 18 hours of contact, but 24 hours may elapse before signs manifest. Consumption of the shavings may cause signs of laminitis as well as mild colic. Affected horses become unwilling to move or have their feet picked up, are depressed, may exhibit limb edema and signs of laminitis. Difficulty in breathing (increased rate and depth) may be noted. Horses on pasture may show mild respiratory signs from pollen or fallen leaves. Poisoning in dogs is reported occasionally when the seed hulls are consumed, causing stomach upset and diarrhea (gastroenteritis).

The toxin causing equine laminitis has not been clearly identified. It was once thought to be juglone, but this is not believed to be the toxin. Juglone is produced by the tree which limits the growth of other plants in the vicinity. Walnuts are also lethal to earthworms.

FIRST AID: Remove black walnut shavings immediately; cooling the hooves and legs with a hose can help. Call a veterinarian if signs are severe or if shavings were consumed. Prompt removal of shavings typically results in complete recovery. Respiratory signs in horses usually do not require treatment unless severe or long-lasting. Stomach upset in dogs will resolve when hulls are no longer eaten.

SAFETY IN PREPARED FEEDS: Reports are not clear concerning the safety of black walnut leaves in processed feeds. The bark and seed hulls are toxic, and these should never be incorporated into any feeds. In the interest of safety, any part of the black walnut plant should not be allowed to contaminate feeds.

PREVENTION: Do not use shavings containing black walnut, limit access of horses to pastures with walnut trees. Purchase bedding shavings only from reputable dealers. Do not let dogs eat walnut hulls.

You still might be able to get signifacant income by finding a specialty buyer had having him bid "per tree in place"
The cutting and removal would be his problem and you have your money befor chain hits wood.
Its going to be more diffacult to find a buyer willing to do this but well worth it and besides your trees will just become MORE valuable the longer it takes .

We have hundreds of Black Walnut trees and process the nuts. A couple points:

Most Black Walnut trees are not worth as much as you might think. People buying trees for veneer are looking for specific features that the majority of black walnuts don't have. Straight trunks with no limbs for about 20 foot, no knots, etc.

IF your Black Walnut trees are along a fence or property line then a lot of buyers will not be interested. Buyers don't want to wreck their blades cutting on nails, etc.

Anyhoo, here's a few pictures from our nut operation:

http://members.aol.com/export4/nuts.html

Anyone ever investigate the oil market for black walnuts or medicinal value of husks?

thanks all!

Mike, I looked at those pics- and search on black walnut huller led me to a processor in my area that buys the nuts. That might be the way to go for me, a small extra income off that each year.

Turns an annoyance into an asset!

IIRC it was a company named Hammon. They have a pick up site in Harrison. I sent them an email to get info on being a seller and asking for payment price info. I dont expect much, but every little bit helps! be a nice way to pick up a little mad money, or tuck something away for a rainy day or for goodies for the coming grandkid.

Thanks for the pics!!!! I am wanting to buy 75-100 acres in Missouri and start a Walnut plantation for nut growth (as opposed for timber).

My idea is to plant both select grafted varieties of black walnut and carpathian/english (on black walnut root stock). I figure with some maintenance, they should be into their 5 or 6 year of producing by the time I retire. Any links on this for actual operations or equipment would be appreciated.

Since the trees a re in Arkansas Call the Arkansas Forestry Comision in Marion county (Yellville)(870-449-4800) and ask them what you can do with them. They are more than just timber. If you don't get the answers get the number for the Arkansas Forestry Comision in Little Rock and someone will give you a lot of information on the trees.

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