Anyone who wants to plant a walnut tree in their garden or already has a tree in their green oasis naturally wonders how old their companion can get. We know the answer!

Walnut trees can grow up to 160 years old in warmer regions

How old does a walnut tree get?

In its homeland (Mediterranean region, Balkan Peninsula and the Middle East and Central Asia), a healthy walnut tree usually lives up to 160 years. In Germany (and of course also in Austria and Switzerland) the average age of a walnut is around 100 years - provided that it is well cared for over the long term.

Thus, under certain circumstances, it is even possible to spend your entire life with a walnut tree (often the tree also exists longer than its human friend).

Note: Unfavorable circumstances such as illnesses can significantly lower the attainable age.

However, there are also cases in which walnut trees massively exceed their ascribed age: In the DDG list of record trees, two Juglans regia are entered that lived over 200 years (203 and 208 years old respectively) - impressive.

Note: Processed walnuts are more short-lived. Rarely do they live more than 100 years.

"Milestones" of the growing walnut tree

Here is an overview of the most important stages that a walnut tree goes through in the course of its life:

  • After two years he really starts to grow. It grows one to two meters a year.

Note: The situation is different with cultivars: in this case, the growth rate depends on the cultivar. Strains that produce high yields early tend to grow more slowly. Many cultivars have a growth rate of between 50 and 100 centimeters per year.

  • Up to the 30th year, the walnut tree grows particularly quickly. Then the growth slows down - and also changes in terms of progression: the crown widens a little more. At the same time, the main phase of fruit formation begins.
  • From the age of about 40 years, the crown expansion ability of the walnut decreases again.
  • At the age of 60 to 80 years, the walnut tree has completely grown in height - now the old age phase begins, the yields decrease.

Note: A seedling grown from a walnut will generally reward you with the first harvest in its tenth year at the earliest; it often takes 15 years. With cultivated varieties, on the other hand, lush yields are possible from the fourth to sixth year.

Category:

Vegetable garden