The easiest way to pick black walnuts is to don a pair of work gloves before beginning the process. Once gloves are in place, find the nearest tree and look for walnuts hanging from the branches. These will be a dark, almost black color and slightly oblong in shape.
If a ladder is needed to reach high branches, make sure it is securely stable before climbing.
Using gloved hands, grasp the walnut and pull it towards the trunk of the tree. Be careful to not damage the branches in the process. If the nut feels loose in its husk, chances are it is fully matured and ready for picking.
Once harvested, the walnuts will need to be decomposed before eating. To do this, spread the walnuts out in a single layer in an open, sunny area for a few weeks. The husks will eventually break and fall away, revealing the inner nut.
How do you harvest walnuts by hand?
Harvesting walnuts by hand is a time-consuming but rewarding process. First, the nuts must be well-matured before they can be picked, which means they should be firm to the touch and have a deep brown exterior.
Once walnuts have reached this stage, they can be picked by hand. Look for a hard shell that doesn’t have blemishes or mildew. To pick walnuts, place one hand around them gently and the other below; then pull gently, so the nut falls naturally off the tree without damaging either the nut or the tree.
After collecting the walnuts, clean them of leaves, stems and other debris. Finally, store them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight for up to two years. With diligent care, hand picking walnuts can provide a great source of nutrition as well as a potential source of income.
How do you prepare black walnuts from the tree?
Preparing black walnuts from a tree is a lengthy process and may involve multiple steps over multiple days depending on the desired end use. For example, if the end goal is to make something such as a walnut oil, the process of preparing the nuts is quite different than if you’re wanting to make a walnut pie.
Here is an overview of the steps involved in preparing black walnuts from the tree for general use:
1. Harvest the walnuts from the tree – once the walnuts have matured, you can easily identify them as their brittle green hulls will open to reveal the familiar black nut. Shake the tree or use a pole with a claw to reach higher walnuts.
2. Separate the green hulls from the black nuts – you’ll need to separate the green hulls from the black nuts. This can be done by either hand or with a walnut huller – the latter is often preferred because it will do a better job of getting all of the green hull off without damaging the black nut.
3. Cure the nuts – the green hulls have a lot of tannic acid that needs to be boiled away, so curing the nuts is important, in order to prepare them for use. Place the walnuts in a bucket with boiling water and let it sit overnight.
4. Dry the nuts – once the curing process is complete, spread the nuts out on a screen in a cool and dry place and allow to dry for 1-3 weeks.
5. Hulling & cracking – use a hammer, nutcracker, or other manual implement to crack the walnuts open and remove the hulled nutmeat.
Once prepared, black walnuts can be used in a variety of ways, from baking to oil extraction.
How long do you let black walnuts dry?
In order to properly dry black walnuts, you should allow them to dry for at least six weeks. During this time, the walnuts should be exposed to warm temperatures and low humidity. It is important to regularly check the walnuts for signs of mold or rot during this period.
It is also important to rotate the walnuts periodically so that all of the walnuts get adequate airflow and drying. After six weeks, you should check the walnuts by cracking one open. If the nutmeat is soft, then you should continue to dry the walnuts for a few more days.
Once the nutmeat is hard and brittle, then the walnuts are sufficiently dried and ready to be sealed in an airtight container and stored in a cool, dry location.
How do you pick black walnuts out of your yard?
Picking black walnuts out of your yard can be a labor intensive process. First, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper supplies. You’ll need thick gloves, a ladder, a rake, a container and a box or tarp to collect the fallen walnuts in.
It’s also a good idea to wear old clothes as the dye from the shells can stain clothing.
Once you have the supplies, it’s time to get started. Start by locating a tree in your yard that has already dropped some of its walnuts on the ground. Be aware that the outer husks of the walnuts are toxic and it’s best to wear gloves in order to avoid any skin irritations.
You can easily remove the husks using a rake. Once the husks are removed, you’ll need to climb your ladder to collect the nuts that are still attached to the tree – having a long-handled grabber can be very helpful in this situation.
After obtaining the nuts that are high in the tree, focus on the walnuts on the ground. The easiest way to collect the nuts on the ground is by using a tarp or box. Cover the tarp or box with the walnuts and shake the tarp or box until they’re all collected.
Once all the walnuts are collected, you can bring them inside to start the next step – cracking and then drying the walnuts.
By following these tips and supplies, you’ll be able to pick the black walnuts out of your yard successfully.
Is there a machine to pick up walnuts?
Yes, there is a machine to pick up walnuts. It is called a walnut harvesting machine and is designed to make harvesting and collecting walnuts much easier and quicker. The machine works by driving over the walnut orchard and shaking the trees to dislodge the walnuts.
It then collects them in a hopper or container. The machine can also be used to collect and transfer the walnuts to a storage bin or truck. It typically includes a variety of features such as adjustable wheels, an adjustable arm height, a no-slip bed, and a flexible suspension system.
This helps make the walnut harvesting machine both efficient and effective.
What wild animals eat black walnuts?
Many wild animals eat black walnuts, including squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, and bears. Squirrels, mice and chipmunks are particularly fond of eating these nuts, as they are a reliable and high-calorie food source, especially during the winter months.
Deer and turkeys also feed on black walnuts, especially in the fall and winter when other food sources may be less accessible. Additionally, waterfowl such as ducks and geese often feed on the fallen nuts, while bears use their powerful jaws to crack the tough shells and extract the juicy kernels.
All of these animals, therefore, are able to benefit from the nutrient-packed and energy-rich walnuts.
Are black walnut trees good for wildlife?
Yes, black walnut trees are great for wildlife. They provide food for a variety of different species, including squirrels, raccoons, birds, deer and bears. Additionally, their thick canopy provides valuable nesting and roosting habitat for animals like squirrels, chipmunks, songbirds, and raptors.
Black walnut trees also provide homes to insects, which provide food for wildlife. Furthermore, the large shade provided by black walnut trees helps to create a cool and comfortable habitat for wildlife.
Finally, black walnut trees are also an important resource in landscapes, as they can help to improve water and air quality, as well as provide visual appeal.
How do I rid my yard of nuts?
Ridding your yard of nuts can be a tricky task, depending on the type of nuts. Some of the most common nuts found in yards include acorns, walnuts, and hickory nuts.
If you have acorns in your yard, one of the easiest methods to remove them is to physically pick them up and discard them. This can be done by hand or with a rake. If the nut crops are especially heavy, an acorn sweeper can be effective, as it picks up the nuts and can be emptied as needed.
Walnuts may scatter seeds as a form of reproduction and can often be found in yards, particularly after wind-blown storms. Removing walnuts from your yard can be a bit more difficult. It may be helpful to use a metal detector to locate walnuts that are buried in soil and then use a rake to scoop them out.
For hickory nuts, a similar metal detector method could be used, or – if the soil is not too hard – you could use a trowel to dig them up. The key is to locate the nuts and remove them before they begin to germinate and drop more nuts.
Overall, dealing with nuts in your yard requires diligence, patience and a willingness to remove nuts as soon as possible. If they have time to mature and spread, they can become very difficult to contain.