Black Walnuts and snow?

June 17, 2007 6:20 PM

I need to pick, purchase and plant a tree (larger is better) as a memorial. The planting part I can handle and equipment is readily available but I we don't know what species to buy.

The tree will be planted on an exposed slope in north central NY. This is the snowbelt and and considering the elevation extreme winter weather is a given. Drainage and soil conditions shouldn't be a problem. The consensus is to pick a hardwood with Black Walnut a favorite -- will a black walnut grow in these conditions? If not, what will? Cost is not a huge factor and I'm aware that this will not be inexpensive.

posted by cedar to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

I great source is the National Arbor Day Foundation website. I wouldn't buy the tree from them, because it will arrive as a stick instead of an established tree. But you can search by zone, growing conditions and type of tree. And they'll also let you know that you'll want to plant two black walnuts if you want to ensure pollination. It is okay up to zone 4, which is most of Northern New York. You can enter the zip code here to check the zone where you want to plant. If you're looking at something in the Adirondack mountains, you may be better looking for a tree that can do zone 3.
posted by saffry at 7:10 PM on June 17, 2007

Your best bet is to talk to a nursery or greenhouse in your area. They will usually be able to give good real-world advice about the soil, climate, plant diseases, etc specific to your planting site. Alternatively if there is a SUNY campus near you, you could talk to their cooperative extension service - or even their groundskeeping staff!
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:29 PM on June 17, 2007

Just FYI, a lot of plants either won't grow or won't grow well anywhere near black walnut roots. Something to think about if you were planning to have your memorial tree surrounded by shrubs or flowers.
posted by Asparagirl at 9:18 PM on June 17, 2007

Fedco is one of my favorite suppliers for trees plants that are hardy in New England climate.

For replacing a sugar maple that lost a battle of road salt, pollution, and the ravages of time, an arborist recommended a linden tree, which has thrived in spite of losing half of its branches when my city finally decided to take down the maple.
posted by plinth at 10:23 AM on June 18, 2007

How about a fabled species such as a chestnut or an elm? I seem to recall that elms are making a small comeback after being ravaged by disease years and years ago. Is that right? (I'm a southerner, so I don't know if either is a northern-climate tree.)
posted by Smalltown Girl at 11:17 AM on June 18, 2007