Black walnut tree

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of black walnut tree (Juglans nigra L.) which is distinctly characterized by rapid growth rate, strong central stem tendency, average time of leafing, and excellent straightness (little sweep and few crooks) thereby producing excellent timber qualities. The new variety has good nut qualities as well as abundant annual to biennial crops of large-sized nuts, begins nut-bearing early in life of tree, average 2 nuts per cluster, and produces kernels which exceed about twenty (20) percent of nut weight. The nuts are large and ripen in mid-season. The pistillate flowers mature early while pollen maturity is late. In most years there is no overlap in female and male flowering. Flowering begins very early in the life of the tree. This new variety of black walnut tree was discovered by the applicant near Silverville in Lawrence County, Ind., in a cultivated area. It occurred as a wild tree growing on land managed for timber-growing purposes and was discovered in the course of a search for unique and high quality black walnut trees to be utilized in breeding for outstanding timber producing potential. This selection has been designated as BW49 in records maintained on the performance of grafts made from the original selection and will be known henceforth as Lawrence-1.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of black walnut tree substantially as illustrated and described, which has excellent timber quality, is fast growing, has strong central stem tendency, little sweep, few crooks; average in time of leafing, pistillate flowers early, pollen sheds mid-season, produces abundant annual crops of large-sized nuts; averages 2 per cluster, the percentage of weight of kernel to nut averages approximately twenty (20) percent; nut bearing begins early in life of tree.