Walnut tree...in Phoenix? (Flagstaff, Casa Grande: city hall, live, friendly)

[roosevelt]

We had a black walnut tree in our backyard, I assume it was planted about 1915. It grew great, I used to climb it all the time. Hated black walnuts though, my grandmother always made hand made black walnut ice cream (granddad would get a block of ice, chip it up and add rock salt and tell me to start cranking) and I would think she always ruined it, but it seems to have been a favorite flavor with old people.

[cap1717]

Hi again, HX guy. . . if you are in a newer "suburban" area, I would advise against walnut. .. It is entirely possible that they did grow here, way back when, before the "heat island" effect, and when most properties had flood irrigation. Few of us have that now, and are much less successful with growing heat and drought sensitive trees because of it. If, however, you live in an area with flood irrigation and good soils, then, I say, try it and see if it works for you. . . .every yard has it's own "microclimate". As a horticulturist, I have never seen one growing here, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen, or that none do grow here, I am just very sceptical about their chances in this climate in this day and age, and am perpetually aggravated with nurseries (and big box stores) that sell stuff more suited to the midwest. . . it generally turns out to be a disaster here!

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by cap1717

Hi again, HX guy. . . if you are in a newer "suburban" area, I would advise against walnut. .. It is entirely possible that they did grow here, way back when, before the "heat island" effect, and when most properties had flood irrigation. Few of us have that now, and are much less successful with growing heat and drought sensitive trees because of it. If, however, you live in an area with flood irrigation and good soils, then, I say, try it and see if it works for you. . . .every yard has it's own "microclimate". As a horticulturist, I have never seen one growing here, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen, or that none do grow here, I am just very sceptical about their chances in this climate in this day and age, and am perpetually aggravated with nurseries (and big box stores) that sell stuff more suited to the midwest. . . it generally turns out to be a disaster here!

I was going to say it is amazing what is grown in the old areas with flood irrigation.

[HX_Guy]

Well, I think Im just going to try it out. Like I say, it has a 1 yr warranty so what do I have to lose?

Also, my other trees are doing great...once being a Peach tree, the other are a Lemon, Orange, and two Ficus.

[cap1717]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I was going to say it is amazing what is grown in the old areas with flood irrigation.

quite right and once they are well established, they do fine, but. . .
not so easy to plant new stock nowdays, even in "good" locations. When I moved to the valley we had snow (in town) every winter. . . not so now!

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by cap1717

one more note about "climate" in the greater Phoenix Area. . . and it's affect on plants:

The greater Phoenix Area stretches about 90 miles,north to south, and 120 or more miles east to west. It has Mountains. . . probably highest point in greater Phx area is in Desert Mountain, about 4000 ft. This fact, elevation from less than 1000ft fo 4000ft makes a huge difference in what will grow where. Also, soil types vary from nice agricultural to sandy to rock. So, what will grow in Phoenix varies widely. Nevertheless, Walnut trees do not grow in the great majority of of the Phoenix area, but there may be some "odd" spots where they can survive.

90 MILES!!! That is nearly to Flagstaff, given that it is only 130 miles from Phoenix! 120 miles east to west!!! It is more like 40 miles north to south and 60 miles east to west. However, walnut trees will grow in the desert and in Phoenix, but this is an irrigation "only" tree in this area.

[HX_Guy]

What do you mean irrigation only?

The way I water the other trees are by putting the hose near the trunk and letting
it run very slowly over a few hours.

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

What do you mean irrigation only?

The way I water the other trees are by putting the hose near the trunk and letting
it run very slowly over a few hours.

There you go! Perfect! Irrigated lawns/yards/gardens used to be mainstays for Phoenix area homes and are still in use in older areas and for large fields. Just like you water your trees, there are "taps" or pumps that flood lawns, trees, plants in the irrigated lawns. This method has gone on the wayside since xeroscaping, drip systems, water conservation, and sprinkler systems became mainstream. If you notice, many areas with heavy green vegetation and non-native plants like North Central, Encanto-Palmcroft, and Arcadia, to name a few use irrigation systems in order to keep their water-reliant plants alive in the desert.

[Grannysroost]

The trick may be to get small (young) so it can adapt...and water well at first, it may also depend on the time of year you plant it, and guessing this is not so good now...but you have a guarantee...so try when the summer heat is waning...

[observer53]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

90 MILES!!! That is nearly to Flagstaff, given that it is only 130 miles from Phoenix! 120 miles east to west!!! It is more like 40 miles north to south and 60 miles east to west. However, walnut trees will grow in the desert and in Phoenix, but this is an irrigation "only" tree in this area.

fcorrales... He/she said north to SOUTH, not just north -- and GREATER Phoenix. From the San Tan Mountains up to the northern edge of the Valley is a LOT more than 40 miles. (If you are talking southeast to northwest, 100 miles is pretty close) East to West is more than 60, too, if you think of GREATER Phoenix.