Can I plant other vegetables under a walnut tree?

Most vegetables will struggle due to the juglone chemical released by the roots.

How long until it produces nuts?

Grafted trees usually start producing in 3 to 5 years, while seedlings take much longer.

Plant guide

English walnut.

Juglans regia

Pronounced JOO-glanz REE-jee-uh

Also known as Carpathian walnut, Common Walnut, English walnut, Madeira walnut

Persian walnut — Photo by Jake Armstrong (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The English walnut is a majestic deciduous tree prized for its delicious nuts and beautiful timber. It grows into a large, spreading canopy that provides excellent shade in spacious landscapes. You will love watching it change through the seasons, from spring catkins to autumn harvest.

Another photo of English walnut — Photo by Ed Alverson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 80 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant your tree in deep, well-draining soil where it can receive plenty of sun. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or pests like aphids that might settle on the foliage. Ensure the tree has enough space to spread its roots and branches as it matures.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to support nut production.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead wood and shape the canopy.
Repotting: Young trees in containers need larger pots every few years until they are ready for the ground.
Soil: Deep, fertile, well-draining loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years or more.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: The green husks contain compounds that can stain skin and cause mild irritation.
Pets: The husks and nuts contain juglone, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The heavy, falling nuts can pose a hazard to small children playing under the tree.
Contact allergens: Contact with the green husks or sap may cause skin irritation in some people.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a significant airborne allergen during the spring flowering season.
Edibility: Walnuts are a common allergen and can cause severe reactions in sensitive individuals.

How to identify it

Large, pinnately compound leaves
Smooth, silvery grey bark when young
Distinctive wrinkled, hard-shelled nuts
Fragrant, aromatic foliage when crushed

Height: 12 to 25m
Spread: 10 to 20m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: green, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: green, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Walnut blight · A bacterial infection causing spots on leaves and fruit.
Walnut husk fly · Larvae feed on the husks, causing them to turn mushy and stain the shell.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, grafting
When to plant: Spring, Autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed for established trees. Young trees may benefit from a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots.
In containers: Not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size and deep taproot.

Focus on planting juglone tolerant species like raspberries or certain ferns beneath the canopy.

Grows well with

Black raspberry · It is one of the few plants that can tolerate the juglone produced by the walnut.

Keep away from

Tomato · Tomatoes are highly sensitive to juglone and will wilt and die if planted nearby.
Apple · Apple trees often suffer from stunted growth and poor health when grown near walnuts.

Similar species

Black walnut · It is a related species native to North America with a much stronger juglone effect.

Science

Family: Juglandaceae
Genus: Juglans
Order: Fagales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern Europe to the Himalayas and southwest China.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in deep, well drained soils and often dominates in open woodland settings.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter for birds, nut source for small mammals
Pollinators: bees
Uses: culinary nuts, fine furniture wood, shade tree

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I plant other vegetables under a walnut tree?: Most vegetables will struggle due to the juglone chemical released by the roots.
How long until it produces nuts?: Grafted trees usually start producing in 3 to 5 years, while seedlings take much longer.

Where the name comes from

The name Juglans comes from the Latin Jovis glans, meaning nut of Jupiter. The species name regia means royal.

Good to know

Walnut wood is highly prized for its dark color and durability.
The trees have been cultivated for their nuts for thousands of years.
Ancient Romans called them the nuts of Jupiter.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your english walnut growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.