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11 Nut Trees for Zone 6: Ones that Perform Incredibly Well

November 10, 2023

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With over 10 years of lawn and landscaping experience under his belt, Larry is a mean, green, gardening machine! Larry aims to share his vast knowledge in the field of gardening and create a one-stop shop for all gardening information and needs.

List of Nut trees for Zone 6

1. English Walnut

The nut tree is also referred to as the Persian walnut, Carpathian walnut, or the Juglans Regia as it is called scientifically. It is native to Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, but has spread to other parts of the world and is widely appreciated by people from North America.

– Growth Requirements

The English walnut tree is quite resistant to harsh weather conditions, and planting it is not as demanding. It does well in hardiness zones 5 to 9, and it will even be able to grow to 40 feet tall.

It will grow in a healthy way as it is placed in a well-drained soil and both alkaline and acidic conditions at the same time. Furthermore, it grows moderately fast, with a rate of 24 inches per year. To become fully mature, the seed takes ten years from the time it was planted to grow into a nut-producing tree.

– Uses

Other than producing edible nuts, the English walnut is also a good source of shade. However, other homeowners use it as an ornamental tree and create memorable moments with their loved ones under its beautiful shade. Manufacturers also find it a good source of valuable timber for producing their products.

– Advantages

Walnut trees are easy to care for and have a long life and as you have to plant it and see it grow and thrive throughout the years. On the other hand, you do not have to wait for walnuts to ripen, since you can use them in various ways in their unripe state.

– Disadvantages

Other plants cannot grow around this tree as it contaminates the soil with the juglone, and this because of the toxic compound produced by its roots which would damage the surrounding plants. Additionally, it can be expensive for homeowners who want to graft the tree for faster production as the process is quite challenging.

2. Black Walnuts

It is an English walnut variety that is also called the juglans Nigra. The nut tree is native to Eastern North America, and its nuts are loved for their distinctive tastes, and this is one of the reasons why it is loved to have in backyards.

– Growth Requirements

A black walnut tree can grow in hardiness zones 4-9. It requires full sunlight and to be protected from strong winds to achieve optimum growth of 75 feet tall.

The best soil to plant this tree is loam, which should be fertile and well-drained. The soil should also be alkaline. Also, it takes the black walnut between 12 and 15 years to fully mature from the time of planting the seedling.

– Uses

This walnut variety is used for commercial and medicinal purposes, because of its healthy benefits and properties. Medical practitioners also enjoy the health benefits provided by black walnuts. They include helping in weight loss, antibacterial properties, promoting heart health and anticancer properties.

On the other hand, it is also used by the manufacturers in the woodworking sector as they prefer its incredible characteristics, such as beautiful wood stains from the husks, resistance to warping, and its irresistible grain.

– Advantages

It is a good source of food for culinary purposes. In addition, knowing that the tree is native to some tribes, it is important to their history. A lot of people use it for healthy benefits for animals such as in de-worming their pets, and dying different things such as garments and hair.

– Disadvantages

Its roots contain the same toxic material, juglone that contaminates the soil, making it impossible to plant other plants near the tree. This is because the rest of the plants would be intoxicated and not able to root well and to survive.

3. American Hazelnut

The American hazel nut, whose scientific name is Corylus Americana, is a to-go for choice for gardeners with limited backyard spaces. Unlike many nut trees, the American hazelnut is a short species native to Eastern North America.

– Growth Requirements

The nut tree typically does well in zones 4 to 8 and can grow in various soil types, provided they are well-drained. Nonetheless, to grow it perfectly, it requires full sun or partial shade to grow.

However, as it grows, the fruit production process would occur through cross-pollination, so it is advisable to plant two trees male and female for a bountiful harvest .

– Uses

This tree has many uses, such as cooking since it has a flavorful taste and aroma, baking, food for wild animals, and botanical uses as well. The nut tree can also be used as a hedge to protect your property from strong winds. Its branches can spread fast and should be trimmed for some control.

– Features

The shrub grows to a maximum height of 12 feet. On another note, these nut trees grow to provide a beautiful background in autumn as their leaves change color during this season.

4. American Chestnuts

The nut tree is also called the ‘king of the forest’. It is native to the Eastern North American region.

– Growth Requirements

This nut tree variety requires partial shade or full sun for proper growth. It thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 8 and grows to a maximum height of 90 feet.

However, the growth conditions are unclear since the tree is susceptible to blight attack. This attack has seen the volume of American chestnuts decline significantly. Note that as it is under optimal conditions, the nut tree takes approximately five years to fully mature and produce fruits, which is a long time, but the aspect is advantageous.

– Uses

Although there are not many trees of this variety remaining, it provides a great snack and can be used for cooking as it begins to form a proper rooting grasp, it will produce nuts. Furthermore, it also provides excellent timber, which is as strong as th oak tree.

– Challenges

The American chestnut tree is at risk of attack by a fungal infection, precisely the blight, which threatens to extinct the variety and might leave it in a critical state. However, researchers are coming up with ways to save the species, such as cross-breeding with a resistant variety to the fungal infection and back crossing.

5. Pawnee Pecan

Pecan trees live up to 1000 years, making them the nut trees with the longest life. Also called Carya illinoinensis, the nut tree is native to Mississippi. It thrives in warm climates in the hardiness zones of 5 to 9.

– Growth Requirements

As a long-living tree, it can survive in various conditions. A pecan tree requires full sun and a significant amount of water. Occasional floods are good for the tree, however the remaining submerged for extended periods can cause its roots to rot.

– Challenges

They have small pockets, which slows down the pollination process. As a result, nut production is often low. In addition, an excess amount of flooding would weaken the roots, and they would need time to recover.

6. Chinese Chestnut

The Castanea Mollissima is native to East Asia and China. It is resistant to diseases and harsh weather conditions, making it an excellent pick for researchers aiming at creating resistant nut tree varieties.

– Growth Requirements

It can grow in dry soils with good drainage and is common in hardiness zones 4-8. Exposure to full sun and partial shade are also vital for the growth of this tree.

For best results, acidic to neutral soils are required. Note that the Chinese chestnut grows to 60 feet and takes five to six years to mature, if, of course, the conditions to grow it have fully been provided.

– Uses

The Chinese chestnut variety is used for cooking, baking, eating raw, and for fence posts, it has such an amazing wood that will stand firmly against the fence.

– Challenges

At a young age, these trees are prone to attacks by rodents and deer, and it would harm the tree in different ways and this is why most people would not be convinced to plant it.

7. Almonds

Almonds resemble peach fruit trees in various ways when considering their growth requirements. But the Prunus Dulcis is a nut with a longer life span which would be around 70 years, and it is a promising tree with this feature. Nonetheless, it is also a native tree to central and southwest Asia.

– Growth Requirements

Almonds grow in well-drained, fertile soils and do not like being exposed to humid conditions. They also grow well in zones 6 to 9 to achieve a height of 33 feet.

In order to grow to its full potential, this tree requires full exposure to the sun. Planting almonds are done in pairs as not production occurs through pollination, and it would attract pollinators to come to your garden as well and the more bees come, the more nuts the tree produces. Furthermore, the male and female almond trees are planted together for quality yields.

– Uses

Almonds are some of the food items with countless nutritional and medical value. It is used when raw or cooked, and consumers enjoy benefits such as reduced risks of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and chronic degenerative diseases. Hence, it is very beneficial if you have an almond tree growing in your backyard.

– Challenges

These nut trees are affected by fungal infections when exposed to humid conditions. However, the leaves in this case as the ones that would be the mostly impacted, especially when they curl, because this would show you that the tree has been weakened or gotten out of its normal range of growth.

8. Shagbark Hickory

The taste of the Carya ovata can be confused with that of a pecan. But since their visual appearance that is not alike, it sets them apart. The nut tree is native to Eastern North America and grows in hardiness zones 4 to 8.

– Growth Requirements

Shagbark hickory grows in well-drained acid soils while exposed to full sun. The slow-growing tree is a self-pollinator, but having a cultivator gives more yields. Though a slow grower, the tree matures within two to three years, from which harvesting can start.

– Benefits of Planting

The sweet-tasting nut is commonly used for making edible syrup, in baking, for thickening soups, and to make butter from the nut’s milk and can be eaten when raw or roasted. As you have planted it, you will see different benefits and it will be pleasant to keep one.

Other than being an excellent source of food, the shag bark would provide high-quality wood. The wood can be used as a fuel source since it burns well and for making baskets, tool handles, sporting goods, and construction.

– Challenges

These nut trees can be attacked by aphids, causing stunted growth and poor yields. Nonetheless, it is also affected by a fungus that causes leaf spotting, which can lead to defoliation in severe cases.

9. Mexican Pine

The Mexican pine nuts are delicious and are loved by man and animals. These nuts grow in a short-statured tree that grows to a maximum of 30 feet. The Pinus Cembroides tree is native to North America and can be used as an ornamental tree.

– Growth Requirements

Growing the Mexican pine is easy, as it can adapt to many conditions and is drought-resistant. The nut tree grows in hardiness zones 4 to 8 and requires well-drained dry soils and full sunlight.

– Benefits

The Mexican pine makes great incense, candies, for baking and can be eaten raw, and this is a key benefit if you have one in your yard. However, it is also interesting how some communities used the tree’s pitch as glue while making jewelry and as caulk. It has fragrant leaves which are great if you have it in your backyard, to spread its natural odor around.

10. Yellow Horn

The Xanthoceras sorbifolium is an unusual type of nut that is native to East Asia. It has a short structure, resembling that of a shrub, and produces small purple flowers and small-sized nuts. Its nuts’ taste resembles that of the American chestnuts.

– Growth Requirements

Yellow horn grows in hardiness zones 4 to 7 but best at six. It requires well-drained, fertile soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline. As these are provided, they will thrive and grow to a height of 25 feet when fully mature.

– Uses

The Yellow horn is used as a raw material for producing biodiesel, which is why it is loved to be invested in. On the other hand, the nuts are also rich in oil and are used for producing high-quality edible oil for cooking. furthermore, the nuts are best eaten when they are boiled.

11. Allegheny Chinquapin

It is a shrub that grows huge and belongs to the chestnut family. Castanea pumila grows to a height of 13 feet, and it is a tree that grows slowly. The nut has a sweet and strong balmy taste.

– Growth Requirements

It requires dry, well-drained, acidic sandy soils. The tree grows well in partial shade in hardiness zones 4-8. The pH of soil should be higher than 6.8 so that it thrives in the best conditions with a well-draining soil that would be loamy and not keeping water to float on top or to stay in the roots.

– Uses

Chinquapin is an excellent fuel source and food for birds, humans, and animals. It is also a nice option for making fencing posts, because of the wood’s persistent strength.

– Challenges

Since the tree is a chestnut variety, it is prone to attack by blight which is a pest infestation that would cause the tree to critical conditions if it isn’t treated very soon.

Conclusion

Nut trees for zone 6 are challenging to come by, but getting some varieties for this zone is not entirely impossible.

Most people think nuts are only for eating, but here are other uses for nuts and their trees:

For creating beautiful backgrounds by taking advantage of the changing color of the tree’s leaves
Using the parts of the nut trees for medicinal purposes
Fencing your property with the poles from the nut trees.
Using the nut trees as a source of income by selling to manufacturers to use them for producing different products.

If you live in hardiness zone 6 and people keep telling you to forget about planting nut trees since it is impossible, it’s time to discard those comments. Use this list to inspire you in your next gardening adventure.

References

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/michigan-species/plants-trees/black-walnut
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/black-walnut#benefits
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_coam3.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/how-grow-american-chestnut#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIf%20chestnut%20seedlings%20are%20planted,3%20years%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Clark.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/castanea-mollissima/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146189/
https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/57/3/article-p487.xml