Walnut Grove

The line of 10 walnut trees stretching along this field represent several of the 21 species of walnut. They are some of the types of tree that grow across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Walnuts trees range from Argentina to Japan with China producing half of the world total of walnuts. The sap from the tree and unripe walnut husks, (the green outer covering around the nut), stains things black and the stain isn’t easy to remove. Smaller species may only grow to 10 metres tall. The 2 black walnuts planted in this collection could grow to well over 40 metres in height. Walnut trees are also grown for their timber which is valued for furniture making.

In ancient Persia, only royalty was allowed the pleasure of devouring the walnut, with the fruit referred to as the Royal Walnut. In around 2000 BC, the hanging gardens of Babylon boasted acres of walnut groves. The Greeks and Romans valued their walnuts too. Baskets of walnuts were found in the ossified remains of Pompeii.

The common name walnut comes from old English and literally means “The Foreign Nut”. Early mentions of walnuts in British literature start in the 16^th century, though they were probably established here in Roman times.