Is this Walnut about to Die?

[Billhook]

W

These pictures were taken today May 29th and this Walnut tree is only just starting to bud.

It did exactly the same thing last year, looking dead until June but burst out into full leaf eventually, with no dead limbs.

The leaves were much browner than the other Walnuts in the field which are way ahead in terms of leaf.

There is a lot of lichen on the branches.

 

Is this the start of the death of the tree or do some Walnuts carry on for years like this?

 

It was planted in 1871 so it may be nearly 150 years old.

[Billhook]

Just found the pictures of it taken same time last year.

26th May first two then 22nd June coming into leaf before making a full canopy later on.

Just seems very late compared to the others in the last picture

[Kveldssanger]

Some walnuts round here are darn late. Wait it out for a month or so, then have another check. May be vigour-related, though I am only guessing.

[Billhook]

It certainly came back from the dead last year, but the amount of lichen on the branches worries me.

 

On the plus side it does seem to be evenly late all over with no dead branches anywhere

 

What is the natural lifespan of a Walnut?

 

There are two on the other side of the park with smaller trunks which have died, but they had a hollow rotted out trunk due to water ingress higher up. This one seems to be sound in that department.

 

Nothing I can do about it if it is just old age, but it would be depressing to see it go as it dominates the view from our house to the parkland.

[se7enthdevil]

not 100% sure but i think walnuts get to be about 120-150years old.

 

i reckon at nearly 150 it's just getting old.

 

 

do not let the timber go to waste when it snuffs it.

[agg221]

Walnuts can exceed 500yrs, so this is a youngster, although like anything some live longer than others.

 

Extension growth is very limited. Any sign of damage at the base from the cows? If you are looking to help it along then a mulch out to the drip line with rosaceae chip and keeping the cows away from the trunk wouldn't do any harm. Other treatments could include sugar solution, but really David Humphries is your man for ideas on suitable strategies.

 

I wouldn't be particularly worried about late leafing - some varieties will do this so it could just be genetic. It's an advantage in getting a better crop of nuts in frost prone areas.

 

Alec

[se7enthdevil]

well that's educated me, i didn't know they lived that long...

[Jake Andrews]

Might be waiting longer than you thought for that timber seventh devil;)

[Mick Dempsey]

I've some walnuts in my field that come out really late, one in particular is only fully in leaf by mid June. Don't worry it'll be fine.

Don't worry about the lichen, not parasitic, (AFAIK) sign of clean air I'm told.

[Kveldssanger]

Aye lichen is pretty much fine. The New Forest is ridden with lichen growth everywhere. Entire oaks are greeny-blue. It's a sign of good ecosystem health.