Common Name: Andean Walnut

General Information

Andean walnut is a slow-growing, deciduous tree with a spreading or irregularly round crown, that can eventualy reach a height of 30 metres[, , ]. The bole is straight and conical, about 60cm in diameter and often dividing 3 - 4,5 metres above the ground[].
The edible seeds are gathered from the wild and the tree is also cultivated in parts of the Andes[]. A locally important food, the seeds are often sold in markets in S. America[, ]. The leaves are also sold, for use as a dye[].
Declines in habitat have been considerable and the species continues to be exploited for its timber, which is often used for decorative purposes[]. Its presence in the international timber trade is thought to be increasing, leading to the plant being listed as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(1998)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Northern and western S. America - Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru.

Habitat

Found in drier to very wet forests at elevations of 1,600 - 3,000 metres[]. Trees are often found along stream banks and field boundaries, where they regenerate freely[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevations of the tropics, growing at elevations of 1,600 - 3,000 metres[, ]. Grows in areas of low to medium rainfall with an annual precipitation of 1,000 to 3,000 mm that is distributed throughout the year[, ]. Prefers an average temperature that ranges between 14 - 22°c[].
Requires a deep well-drained loam and a sunny position sheltered from strong winds[, ]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil[]. Prefers soils of loose texture, muddy, loose-sandy (loose soils), with a neutral to slightly acid pH[]. It does not tolerate low pH or calcareous soils and needs deep and fertile soils[]. It has low growth in poor, shallow, and flooded soils[].
Seed nuts collected from Ecuador have been planted in New Zealand and have shown very rapid growth, reaching up to 1.5 metres growth per year during the first few years[]. After 10 years, the trees were more than 10 metres high and bearing their third annual crop of nuts[].
No cross-pollination is required for nut production and hybridization appears to be possible[].
Plants are very susceptible to fire damage[].
Trees have a dense canopy which tends to reduce plant growth below them.
We have no specific information for this species, but the roots of several members of this genus produce substances that are toxic to many plant species, especially apples (Malus species), members of the Ericaceae, Potentilla spp and the white pines (certain Pinus spp.)[]. The leaves of many species also secrete substances that have an inhibitory affect on plants growing underneath them. All in all this is not a very good companion plant[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. Eaten fresh, or used in various preparations[]. The seed is larger than the common walnut (Juglans regia) and has a rich and pleasant flavour, though it is contained in a very thick, bony shell[, , ]. The seed is rich in oil[].

Medicinal

The boiled leaves are used as a tonic[].

Other Uses

The bark is a good source of tannins[].

Used locally as a rootstock for J. regia[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the unripened fruits[].
A very fine black dye is obtained from the ripe fruits[].
Dyes are obtained from the bark and leaves[]. A brown is obtained from the leaves[].

The heartwood is dark, purplish-brown, well demarcated from the light brown sapwood[]. The wood is rather heavy, firm, durable, compact and strong[]. Straight or roey-grained; medium or coarse-textured; it is easy to work; takes a smooth and fairly lustrous finish and holds its place well[]. A beautiful wood, it is used in decorative veneer, fine cabinetmaking, interior carpentry, turned utensils, guitars and decoration. It is also used in packing boxes and construction and for tri-plex[, ].
The wood makes a good fuel and is used to make charcoal[, ].

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual deep pots in a cold frame[]. You need to protect it from mice, birds, squirrels etc. The seed usually germinates in late winter or the spring. Plant out the seedlings into their permanent positions in early summer and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two.
The seed can also be stored in cool moist conditions (such s the salad compartment of a fridge) over the winter and sown in early spring but it may then require a period of cold stratification before it will germinate[, , ]. Germination rates are usually less than 50%[].

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