Plantation Attributes
Ideal Site Selection
Proper site selection is the number one priority in growing Black Walnut trees. Laake Forest’s 61 acres is almost entirely comprised of the Tracy soil type. It is highly unusual to have such a large segment of land be of all one soil type. Tracy soil is considered ideal for Black Walnut Trees. The Tracy series consists of deep, well drained soils with optimum PH levels for Black Walnut. The solum, or the upper layer of the soil profile where the formation of new soil takes place and where most plant roots are found, is 36 to 60 inches thick and contains high levels of organic matter.
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Superior Grafts
Genetically Superior grafted Black Walnut trees were used for the entire plantation. The trees were produced by grafting the scion wood from superior second and third generation genetically selected trees onto black walnut root stock. It should be noted that black walnut tree varieties with proven superiority in growth rate and form did not exist until researchers at Purdue University discovered and isolated them in clone banks in the 1970s. They started with over 400 specimens from trees whose appearance met their selection criteria. These specimens were grafted onto black walnut rootstock, planted in clone banks and carefully monitored for over a decade. In 1979 and 1980 Purdue University was awarded eight patents for cultivars that were demonstrably superior in growth rate and form compared to other varieties of black walnut trees. Laake Forest is proud to be a beneficiary of the years of black walnut tree research performed by Purdue University.
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Wide Spacing
As trees develop, room to grow at the tree crown and at the tree roots is critical to help ensure maturity in an optimum time frame. To help shorten the time needed to reach maturity, all the Laake Forest Black Walnut trees were planted on 20 foot centers.
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Continual Root Competition Controls
Black Walnut trees are not tolerant of root competition and will not mature at an optimum rate with competing roots from other trees or plants. To control this risk, Laake Forest trees were planted on 20 foot centers with shelters. In addition weed control is applied three times per year in a spray that reaches the center of the tree trunk to a distance equal to the end of the limbs.
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Soil/Leaf Testing
Optimum nutrient concentrations for Black Walnut trees can help maximize growth and improve the health of the tree. To help achieve the best results in this area, soil and leaf samples are tested twice a year for 17 different minerals including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, aluminum and molybdenum as well as soil PH levels. Plantation management goals are to ensure testing and corrective action occurs regularly. Proper soil additives, fertilizers and foliates are applied so the proper mineral levels are maintained and the proper ratios between and among minerals occurs.
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Fertilization/Foliation
Fertilization and foliation occurs at levels and time intervals deemed appropriate to satisfy the requirements determined by the soil and leaf samples. All mineral and PH levels considered ideal for Black Walnuts are currently being maintained on the Laake Forest plantation. In addition, Laake Forest applies insecticides as required to control the risks from various insects. Finally, clover is planted in the rows of the plantation to serve as a good erosion control and to provide a natural source of nitrogen for the trees.
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Pruning
To obtain veneer quality, healthy Black Walnut trees, pruning is a must. Laake Forest prunes at least twice a year, in the spring and the winter. Pruning guidelines provided by experts are followed. Goals are to ensure that a clean central stem is maintained, trees are uniformly balanced with their limb placement and large limbs are removed at the trunk in the winter.
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Education and Consultation
Growing Black Walnut trees is a long term project and one cannot realize mistakes or not take advantage of "state-of-the-art" practices years into the project. To ensure the best possible advice is followed, Laake Forest uses four different independent consultants with international, national and/or locally well respected reputations. Expert advice and consultation is provided for soil selection, planting, soil/leaf testing, fertilization, foliation, pruning, and valuation. Also, the best tools, equipment and the best management practices are followed. Precise and complete records are maintained for all activity on the plantation. In addition involvement with Black Walnut professional associations and subscriptions to Black Walnut related periodicals takes place and internet information sites occurs regularly to keep up with the best practices.
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Safety/Excellence and Pride
All activities at Laake Forest need to occur in a way that ensures the safety of those working on the plantation. To help ensure the safety of all Laake Forest staff and to promote excellence and pride, a Policies and Procedures manual has been developed that outlines expectations and standards in these areas. All new staff reviews the policy and procedure manual with management and each year refresher overviews are conducted. In addition, daily supervision is provided to achieve desired results.
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