Almonds

Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. Part of the plum family, the almond tree (Prunus dulcis; Prunus amygdalus) is native to North Africa, West
Asia and the Mediterranean. The English word almond is derived
from the French amande, which
in turn is a derivative of the old Latin word for almond, amygdalus, literally meaning "tonsil plum." Ancient Romans also referred to almonds as "Greek nuts," since they were first cultivated in Greece.

Buartnuts

A cross between Butternuts and Heartnuts, these hybrids combine good qualities from each. A popular cultivar includes the following:
Mitchell

Picture courtesy of Grimo Nursery

Butternuts

Carpathian
English Walnuts
(Persian )

Chestnut

Chestnuts used to be common in Pennsylvania until Chestnut Blight destroyed them. Most varieties grown now are Chinese Chestnuts or hybrids with Chestnut Blight resistence. Varieties include the following:

Abundance,Crane, Orrin, Kuling,
Nanking, Meiling

Eastern Black Walnuts


The black walnut is a poisonous tree to neighboring trees especially fruit trees. Plants do not grow beneath the tree because the roots of the tree contain a substance called juglone, which is expelled and is fatal to trees and fruits for example tomatoes and blackberry. Although this tree is fatal to some life forms, it is helpful for others. The black walnut contains a substance that helps the body eliminate parasites. The black walnut is used for poison oak and ringworm. The black walnut can be taken as a dietary supplement, which is known to promote bowel regularity.

Hazelnuts or Filberts

Hazelnuts suffer from Eastern Filbert Blight in this area which will eventually kill any variety that is not resistant. However, some growers have been able to grow these nuts by practicing strict control measures. There is hope for the future as researchers are making progress in breeding Eastern Filbert Blight Resistant varieties with good quality nuts. Popular varieties (although they may suffer from Eastern Filbert Blight) include the following:

Barcelona, Longfellow Non Pariel, Butler, Ennis Potomac, Duchilly, Royal

See links page for
more information

Heartnuts

Hicans

Hicans are natural hybrids between pecan and hickory that fall into categories based on whether the hickory parent was a shagbark or a shellbark. In general, shellbark X pecan produces a larger nut than the shagbark hybrids, but the shagbark may be heavier producers. Unless self-pollinating, several different varieties should be planted together for good nut production.
Trees reach 50-70' in height with a round and spreading crown. Plant trees on 40-50' spacing, first production in 6-10 yrs. Hican trees bear handsome foliage, and deserve planting for their ornamental qualities. The nuts retain the hickory flavor considered by most to be the finest nut flavor.

Varities include: Wright, Burton, Pleas, Burlington, Westbrook, Clarksville

Hickory Hybrids

Hybrids between different species of Hickories. Popular varieties include: Fairbanks
Deacers

Shagbark Hickories

Fruit, nuts, important food for squirrels.

©Jay Goldtrap 2002

Less Common Nuts

In addition to the more commonly grown nuts, growers have a wide selection of other kinds of nuts to grow. These can include several species of

Pine Nut
Beech
Ginkgo

and several species of
Oak (acorns).