Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) agroforestry - its design and potential as a land-use alternative

Abstract

Integrated forestry-farming management typically involves the planting of trees at a wide spacing with intercrops grown in alleys between trees. A program initiated in Missouri in 1965 establishes eastern black walnut on a 40 × 10 foot spacing with row intercrops (wheat, milo, soybeans etc.) for the first 10-12 yr followed by cover crops of cool-season forages thereafter. Specialty crops of Christmas trees, balled and burlapped landscaping species, small berry crops and vegetables are also grown during the early years of plantation establishment. Contrary to conventional management of black walnut, short, clear boles (8 to 16 feet in length) with large full crowns for nut production are developed for maximization of profits. Economic analyses show the highest investment returns associated with management practices combining nut and wood production within an agroforestry regime. -Authors