Juglans ailantifolia

Hartnoot, Japanse walnoot / Heartnut, Japanese walnut

Juglandaceae (Okkernootfamilie)

Edible plant part (1)

Nuts
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Heartnut, Japanese walnut belongs to the canopy layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a late species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 6 to 15 meter. and a width of 6 to 10 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. The Heartnut, Japanese walnut is decidious. It buds in april and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a taproot deep root system. This species is slightly spreading in the food forest. Heartnut, Japanese walnut is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Agnieszka Kwiecień, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juglans_ailantifolia_var._cordiformis_2021-05-14_02.jpg

foto: Agnieszka Kwiecień, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juglans_ailantifolia_var._cordiformis_2021-05-14_02.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): end of march, early june
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: wind
Plant reproductive fertility: partially self-fertile, self sterile

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

squirrels, crow species

Harvest and Consumption

Nuts

Productivity - peak (yield) - maximum: High
Harvest location edible part: Ground layer
Harvesting period - start: Early october
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, dropping
Harvesting period - uniformity: Medium
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, mechanical, simple tool
Ease of removal - edible parts: Easy
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Year
Suitable markets: Niche
Existing and predicted market demand fresh: None, but growth potential
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 4
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 5
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 5
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 15
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 75
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 100
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 150

Culinary appreciation

High in fat, with an aesthetic heart-shaped nut that comes out of the shell whole and beautifully intact. It tastes like walnut but is less bitter and has a creamier, buttery texture, making it popular in gastronomy.

References