Andean Walnut

It is a slow-growing tree attaining heights of up to 40 meters (130 ft), with grooved, red-brown bark and an oval-shaped canopy. The compound leaves, typical to all members of Juglans, are about 40 cm (16 in) long, grouped at the ends of the branches, and have a serrated border. The species prefers loose-textured, fertile soils, and seems to thrive in somewhat muddy conditions. Neutral to slightly acidic soils are ideal; the tree will not tolerate calcaerous soils nor very acidic conditions. Andean Walnuts are found between 1,600 and 2,500 meters (5,200 and 8,200 ft) of elevation, in biomes where the average temperature is between 16 and 22 °C (61 and 72 °F), and annual precipitation of between 1 and 3 meters (39 and 118 in) that is distributed evenly throughout the year. The species does particularly well when planted near running water. It is found naturally in a wide variety of Pre-Montane and Montane forests, and most abundantly in cloud forests. Propagation is by seed; nuts are scarified with sandpaper, then planted in moist sand for 4 months at a temperature of 2 to 4 °C (36 to 39 °F). Natural germination times are poorly studied, but new trees appear to grow where the nuts fall and are buried under leaf litter. The Andean walnut is allelopathic, like most walnuts, and its presence will kill some understory plants. …