Black Walnut Time

  This is the time of year when walking paths are littered with black walnuts which create a walking risk and actually stain concrete. Millie's lane is a good example. I have to watch my step when I make my rounds or I could easily have a turned ankle.

 I noticed the first substantial fall after our recent heavy rain (10/07 - 08). Dead limbs follow the same schedule. It does not take wind to bring them down, merely a steady rain.

 The Eastern  Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) are one of those native trees that require no care. They produce a bountiful crop whether in a cared-for lawn or an abandoned field.

 I remember carrying pocketful's of these home and drying them on a sheet of newspaper placed on a bench in our garage. Mom was then the one that picked out the meat. She saved us a lot of money through the years volunteering for this task. The nut is dense and convoluted and the meats are not easy to remove.

 Tom found that occasionally Ollie's carries bags of these shelled nuts at a very attractive prices. Consequently he bought many bags years ago and I'm still use them (they seem to stay fresh). 

 This is a strong-tasting nut, one I've found people either love or hate. I like to use them in chocolate chip cookies.

 Nature has produced a bounty this year. I've noticed great quantities of acorns, too. Do they follow the same schedule?