Quote:
Originally Posted by garydee
Walnut trees produce a substance called "juglone" which helps to keep unwanted growth out of the drip line of the tree to enable it to grow stronger and keep competing species at bay.
Juglone is toxic to most plants as well as humans and animals if they inhale the dust or eat the wood chips. Woodworkers are often affected when they are sanding or planing walnut without a mask and without adequate dust collection.
Walnut and oak are the least desirable shavings to compost and use on the garden. The juglone from the walnut and tannic acid from oak poison the soil and raise the acidity. Shavings could be spread in areas to control weed growth, (not around desirable plants) so there are some good uses for them. Maybe around phone poles or fence posts or under fence sections.  |
Very interesting and informative, thank you for your insight.
It led me to this site for more info:
https://extension.psu.edu/landscapin...oducing-plants
But the interesting this is that I have a neighbor a few hundred yards down our mutual back road that has a couple walnut trees along his perimeter.
I walk my dog down this road almost daily. In the fall the road is littered with walnuts, and also his yard. Although not very well cared for, nothing in his yard seems to be struggling to survive, albeit he has nohing to worry about (i.e. garden.)
My dog takes time to sniff EVERYTHING. Should I worry about toxn's to my dog?