Growing Walnut Trees in the UK | Growers Guide

Growing Walnut Trees in the UK | Growers Guide

Growing Walnut Trees in the UK

A Nutritious Investment for Gardeners and Growers Alike

Growing nuts in the UK has never quite taken off, and it’s true that our climate doesn’t compare to regions like France or Turkey when it comes to commercial nut production. But that doesn’t mean Britain should dismiss its nut-growing potential out of hand.

Compared to most other food crops, nut orchards offer incredibly high caloric returns — and monetary value — with far less ongoing input. In an era of climate uncertainty, transitioning land use from resource-intensive livestock to productive, diverse, organic nut polycultures is a step in the right direction.

For everyday growers and home gardeners, walnut trees are an appealing prospect. What could be better than having a low-maintenance, high-yield food factory at the end of your garden? Homegrown walnuts are not only delicious and nutritious — they’re also a serious money-saver given how pricey nuts can be.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to grow walnut trees in the UK — from choosing the right cultivars to planting, pruning, harvesting, and avoiding common pitfalls.

A Quick History of Walnuts in the UK

Walnut trees (Juglans regia) are thought to have arrived in Britain in the 16th century, having originated in western Asia. They’ve since been valued both for their nutritious nuts and high-quality timber.

Commercial cultivation never really flourished here, but small-scale orchards — especially in warmer regions like Kent and Somerset — have dotted the landscape. Recently, interest has been reignited, with pioneering growers trialling hardy cultivars in various UK microclimates.

We’ve planted our own four-acre trial orchard of walnuts and sweet chestnuts in South Wales. We'll keep you updated on which cultivars thrive in our conditions.

For home growers, success doesn’t depend on commercial yields. A single well-placed walnut tree can be both productive and beautiful, thriving in most areas of the UK outside the harshest, windiest sites.

How to Grow and Care for Walnut Trees in the UK

Planting Your Walnut Tree

Walnuts are hungry trees. They thrive best in fertile, free-draining soils in full sun.

  • When to plant: Ideally in autumn, during dormancy. Early planting gives roots time to establish before spring.

  • Soil: Avoid heavy soils. A pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is optimal. Use a soil pH tester to check and amend accordingly.

  • Planting method: Dig a hole twice the size of the rootball. Add mycorrhizal fungi to the backfill — a proven aid in healthy root establishment.

Avoid adding too many amendments to the backfill. We prefer top-dressing with composted materials later on.

Tip: Give your tree the best start with a generous mulch ring (wood chip, compost, or manure) and protection from weeds.

Pruning Walnut Trees

  • When to prune: Only during dormancy — ideally late autumn to early winter — to avoid sap bleed.

  • How to prune:

    • Start with dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

    • Aim to keep a strong central leader and evenly spaced scaffold branches.

    • Encourage light penetration and airflow throughout the canopy.

Pruning impacts the tree’s shape for decades to come — so take your time and enjoy the process. Always sterilise tools between cuts to prevent disease spread.

Watering & Feeding

  • Mulching: Apply a thick organic mulch in early spring to feed the soil and suppress weeds.

  • Feeding: A balanced fertiliser can be used if mulch isn’t available.

  • Watering: Young trees (up to 3 years) need regular deep watering during dry spells. Mature trees usually cope well without much intervention.

Avoid: Using walnut leaves in your mulch, as they may host overwintering pests or pathogens.

Harvesting Walnuts

  • When to harvest: Autumn, when nuts naturally fall from the tree.

  • How to harvest: Shake branches or spread a tarp beneath to collect ripe nuts. Tools like a nut wizard make life easier.

Expected yields:

  • ~3–5kg per tree after 5 years

  • Up to 75kg at full maturity

  • Yields improve with a pollinator partner nearby, as most walnuts are only partially self-fertile.

Watch out for: Grey squirrels. They’ll strip a tree clean before you know it!

Common Walnut Tree Pests & Diseases

Walnut trees are generally low-maintenance, but here are the main issues to watch for:

Pests

  • Codling Moth: Damages kernels. Control with pheromone traps.

  • Leaf Gall Mite: Causes leaf distortion, usually cosmetic.

Diseases

  • Walnut Blight: Can affect leaves, catkins, and nuts. Prevent with proper pruning and pH balance.

  • Walnut Leaf Blotch: Causes brown spotting. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves to reduce spread.

Juglone & Allelopathy: A Word of Caution

Walnuts release juglone, a natural chemical that can inhibit or harm sensitive plants nearby. English walnut (Juglans regia), the standard rootstock in the UK, is less aggressive than black walnut (Juglans nigra), but caution is still wise.

  • Avoid planting near: Tomatoes, apples, and other juglone-sensitive plants.

  • Buffer with: Juglone-tolerant species like hazel, black mulberry, or autumn olive.

For a full list of juglone-tolerant species, check out this excellent resource.

Best Walnut Cultivars for UK Conditions

Here’s a list of the best-performing walnut varieties for British growers:


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