"brooklyn1" wrote:
"VSAvatar" wrote in message

I planted a black walnut from a bare root sapling about 3 years ago
and it only seems to grow about 3-4 inches per year instead of the
1'-1.5' I hear it's supposed to grow. *While I don't have a problem
with it taking 100 years to reach full height, I'm more concerned that
it will simply stop growing at age 20 and I'll have an 8 foot walnut
bonsai tree. *I assume part of the problem is that the tree is only in
partial sun rather than full sun because of some maple trees not too
far away, but I don't know if that's all that can account for it. *It
appears rather healthy except for the lack of growth. *Any ideas?

Partial shade is a big part of the problem. *Also soil type and nutrients
available will have a large effect, as is adequate water. *It's probably
still small enough to easily move it to a better location.

The maples are a big part of the problem. Not much of anything
including grass grows under maples. They have shallow roots and take
all the water besides having dense shade. I would dig a trench down
about a foot deep around the walnut out several feet to cut any roots
that are coming into the area of the walnut. I would also open up the
shade by pruning the maple tree(s).

We have black walnuts growing in our yard that squirrels plant. They
seem to be 3 foot tall before we see them to pull them out. If growing
in a suitable location, they should grow fairly quickly. I cut one down
yesterday that was over 40' tall and it was about 30 years old.

I have seen green water bags called treegators that people place around
the base of new trees to keep them watered during the summer. They come
in different sizes. That would be a good idea.
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