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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.
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.
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.
Wind Controls
Wind can damage rapidly developing trees. To minimize
any damage Laake Forest installed three rows of Wind Break
Poplar trees running north to south through out the plantation
as shown below:
In addition, flexible 10 foot conduit was used to support
most of the trees in their early development. Flexible conduit
allows trees to develop physiological strength from bending
with the wind but prevents damage from strong winds.
Soil and leaf samples are tested twice a year and proper
soil additives, fertilizers and foliar treatments occur
to help provide maximum support for the health and strength
of the trees.
Finally, all trees are pruned at least twice a year to help
prevent wind damage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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