Four nut-bearing arboreal entities
In the heart of the British countryside, gardens, allotments, and community orchards are flourishing with an array of nut trees. Among the best edible nut trees to grow in the UK are hazelnuts, walnuts (including Heartnuts), and sweet chestnuts. Each variety offers unique growth requirements and harvesting methods, making them suitable for various garden sizes and climates.
Hazelnuts, well-adapted to the UK climate, are relatively easy to grow. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. After three to five years, these hardy trees begin producing nuts, which are collected once they drop in autumn.
Walnuts, including the Heartnut variety, are also suitable for the UK. The Heartnut is notable for its adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions, including cold winters and varying humidity. Walnut trees prefer fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny position. They take longer to mature than hazelnuts, with nuts being harvested once fully mature and fallen, often requiring cracking of their hard shells.
Sweet Chestnuts, thrive in temperate climates like the UK and grow best in deep, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils. They may take several years to establish before producing nuts and harvest is typically in autumn once burs open to release the nuts.
Brazil nut and Macadamia trees, however, are generally unsuitable for the UK climate due to their tropical and subtropical requirements. Brazil nut trees need pristine tropical forest conditions and specific large-bee pollinators not native to the UK, plus very long fruit maturation times, making them impractical for UK cultivation. Macadamia trees require warmer climates, well-drained fertile soils, and mild winters (not falling below 10°C), so the UK climate is generally too cold for successful growth.
In summary, hazelnuts, walnuts (notably Heartnuts), and sweet chestnuts are the best nut trees to grow in the UK, with hazelnuts being easiest and quickest to harvest, Heartnuts offering climate adaptability, and sweet chestnuts suited to temperate conditions. Other nut species like Brazil nuts and macadamias are generally unsuitable due to climate and pollination needs.
Nut trees are long-lived, attractive, and good for wildlife. Almond trees, for instance, produce early spring blossom, bearing masses of small pale pink or white flowers on bare branches, before the serrated, dark green leaves appear. Sweet chestnuts need to be ripe and brown, and there's no need to pick them, simply wait until the prickly-cased nuts fall from the tree in autumn.
Some types of nut tree need a pollination partner (at least two trees of the same type). Nut trees described as 'self-fertile' are suited to growing alone. Sweet chestnut 'Marron de Lyon', for example, produces large dark brown nuts from an early age and has a more compact growing habit than most sweet chestnuts, growing to 10m x 8m.
Cobnuts, also known as filberts or hazelnuts, are ready to harvest when their husks turn yellow. Cobnut 'Purple Filbert' is an attractive selection for a small garden, with purple foliage, purple catkins, and edible autumn fruits, growing to 3m x 2m.
For those with smaller gardens, almond trees trained as fans and hazel trees are suitable options due to their space efficiency. Sweet chestnut is not to be confused with conker or horse chestnut tree, which bears similar but inedible nuts.
Harvest nuts from a large tree by laying a sheet on the ground beneath it, then gently shaking the tree or using a broom handle to move individual branches, then gather the fallen nuts. Planting nut trees on low ground or 'frost pockets' should be avoided to prevent damage to early blossom and affect the crop.
In conclusion, nut trees provide a bountiful harvest and add charm to any garden. With careful selection and proper care, these long-lived trees will offer a sustainable and delicious source of nuts for years to come.
[1] Source: RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) [2] Source: Kew Gardens [3] Source: Horticulture Week
- For those who are interested in expanding their food-and-drink options, growing sweet chestnuts in home-and-garden settings is a worthwhile endeavor, as they thrive in temperate climates like the UK and can provide a bountiful harvest in autumn once the burs open to release the nuts.
- Embracing a lifestyle that includes gardening can offer more than just greenery and aesthetic appeal; it can also provide opportunities to grow and harvest unique food-and-drink options, such as the Heartnut variety of walnuts, which are adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions and offer a nutritious food source with proper care and sunny placement in the garden.
