Fruit and Nut Plants from around the world

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D2228 Common Olive Olea europaea
A most useful tree that can be grown in any temperate climate. It also can be grown in containers. The tree itself is attractive and usually becomes gnarled with age. It bears the olive of commerce that reach up to 1½" in dia. and are filled with oil. The flowers are tiny and yellow, the foliage a light grey-green.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.50




FA55 Noni Juice Tree Morinda citrifolia
Also called Indian Mulberry Tree. This popular tropical tree has attractive oval leathery leaves and produces numerous white flowers. Dyes of various colors are derived from the roots and the tree has medicinal uses.
The amazing thing about the Morinda Citrifolia plant is that every part is used, although the fruit is the most widely used.
The plant reaches heights of 15-20 feet and yields fruit year round. The blossoms of the plant are a creamy white color. The mature fruit is about the size of a potato and resembles a small breadfruit.
This plant can be grown in warm greenhouses and inside in tubs if given warmth and bright light. Outside, in zone 10 and higher.

  Package of 10 seeds $3.95




2566 Lemon Guava Psidium cattleianum lucidum
Small bush or tree to 20-25ft, although often much smaller, best for zones 8b-10. The lemon guava is very adaptable and can be grown outdoors throughout much of Florida and California. It will fruit in a container almost anywhere if protected from hard freezes. Lemon guava's are hardy to 22F when full grown. Trees grow well in full sun and with ample water, although short periods of drought will not harm the plant.

D2204 Paw Paw Tree Asimia triloba .
Pawpaws are native to the Eastern half of the United States, from the Gulf Coastal plain to the Great Lakes. The fruit look like short, fat bananas. They have a fragrant aroma, a custardy texture, and a tropical taste. The best ones are rich, creamy and sweet, reminding some people of banana cream pie. Compared to apples, peaches and grapes, Pawpaw is higher in food energy, and has more than double the amount of vitamin C, and is much higher in minerals.
It is higher in protein, fiber, and carbohydrate. It has a much higher content of amino acids in a good balance. It has mainly unsaturated fatty acids, and is a good source of linoleic and linolenic acids. It is a small tree, seldom taller than 25 feet. Grown in full sun, the pawpaw tree develops a narrowly pyramidal shape with dense, drooping foliage down to the ground level. In the shade it has a more open branching habit with few lower limbs and horizontally held leaves. Pawpaw trees require warm to hot summers, mild to cold winters, and a minimum of 32 inches (81 cm) of rainfall spread rather evenly throughout the year, with the majority falling in spring and summer. It can be grown successfully in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 (-15 F/-26 C min. temp.) through 8 (15 F/-9 C min. temp.)
Shading for the first year, and sometimes the second, is normally required outside, and it is for this reason that pawpaws are almost always found in nature as an understory tree. Although the pawpaw is capable of fruiting in the shade, optimum fruit yields are obtained in open exposure, with some protection from wind (on account of the large leaves). Plant at least two trees for fruit production, to ensure cross-pollination. The soil should be slightly acid (pH 5.5-7), deep, fertile, and well-drained. Good drainage is essential to success. Pawpaws will not thrive in heavy soil or waterlogged soil. In its native habitat the pawpaw has few pests of any importance.

  Package of 3 seeds $2.00




NB79 Ralls Janet Fresh Eating Apple Malus pumila
An heirloom apple with a long, Ralls Janet first gained attention in 1800 where it was grown on the farm of Caleb Ralls in Amherst County, Virginia. Medium in size and roundish-oblate in shape, the greenish-yellow skin is flushed, mottled, and streaked with various hues of pink, red and crimson over one-half or more of the surface. Yellow, or russet, and white dots, are conspicuous, and scarfskin may be present on some fruit. The yellowish flesh of this dessert apple has a greenish tinge and is dense, crisp, and tender with a tart-sweet balance of flavor. When cut, the flesh exudes a sweet aroma. Blooms in early May, and this very late flowering assures a crop set. Ralls was one of a number of American seedling varieties imported by the Japanese to establish an apple breeding program. From the cross of Ralls and Red Delicious came Fuji. Ralls is also widely grown in China. It stores particularly well and ripens in Virginia the first week of October. Said to be good for zones 3-8.

RHM070 Ceylon Gooseberry Dovyalis hebecarpa
Shrubby tropical plant to 15' with spines on the stems with numerous small oval leaves. Produces 1" velvety, purple skinned tart fruits which are used in jams, jellies. May also be pruned to size as an attractive ornamental plant. Native to Sri-Lanka. Can be tub raised.

SO523 Custard Apple Annona reticulata
A short deciduous tree that produces large fruits with a juicy sweet taste. Easily grown container plant, or zone 10 outside.

  Package of 3 seeds $2.10




1A224 Soursop Annona muricata
Attractive tropical tree to 20', leaves shiny green, leathery and obovate. Grown for its popular fruits weighing up to 6 lb. The outter skin is covered with short fleshy spines. Widely cultivated in the tropics. Also used in sherbets and refreshing drink. Easily grown container plant, or zone 10 outside.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.10




2936 Pickle Tree Averrhoa bilimbi
This Carambola relative produces very small pickle-like fruits which are borne directly on the trunk of the tree and also on the branches. The fruitation is preceded by small red flowers on the trunk and branches. Delicate oval leaflets make this small tree very inviting as an indoor ornamental that would require warmth and bright light. Can be pruned to desired size; may be used as bonsai.
Its flowers, like its fruits, are found in hairy panicles that directly emerge from the trunk as well as from the oldest, most solid branches. The yellowish or purplish flowers are tiny, fragrant and have 5 petals. The bilimbi fruit's form ranges from ellipsoid to almost cylindrical. Its length is 4-10 cm. The bilimbi is 5-sided, but in a less marked way than the carambola. At the stem's end, the fruit is capped with a star-shape calyx. If unripe, it is bright green and crispy. It turns yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is juicy, green and acidic. Easily grown container plant, or zone 10 outside.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.10




2567 Common Pear Pyrus communis
The well known common pear with large yellow fruit and smooth, juicy white flesh. Fruit trees need a minimum of 6-8 hours sunlight daily, and need water. They are not drought tolerant. For zones 5-8.

FB103 Purple Kiwi Actinidia melandra
Ornamental as well as edible, this vigorous climber sports smooth oval-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant 1 1/2 inch flowers. Small semi-tart fruit appears in late summer and ripens to deep purple with unusual purple-red flesh. Hardy in zones 7-9, kiwi vines require part sun and well drained soil.

D4503 Coffee Plant Coffea Arabica
The world's most important trade crop also makes a wonderful house plant. The plants have dark shiny-green leaves and white fragrant flowers. A very ornamental plant. Very unique.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.00



Seed Packet # 1A136
Seed Name: Kona Coffee (Coffee Arabica)
The Kona is the very popular coffee of Hawaii. Its a heavy bearing variety with excellent quality. Normally it begins to produce in 4 years. One producing tree can provide 1 lb. of coffee.
Price per pack: $4.50

  25 seeds




Seed Packet # 1A138
Seed Name: Coffea Canephora (Coffee Robusta )
A popular coffee crop, this Coffee is better known as Robusta. It is shorter than C. arabica with longer leaves. May be grown indoors in bright light. Height is under 3'.
Price per pack: $1.95

  10 seeds



Seed Packet # 1A139
Seed Name: Coffea Racemosa (Coffee Racemosa )
Another commercial Coffee similar to Robusta but with a more branching, compact habit with a mature height of 4'. A very prolific coffee of excellent quality. Favored by most growers.
Price per pack: $1.95

  10 seeds



RHM136 Alma Fruit Tree Phyllanthus emblica
Amla has been regarded as a sacred tree in India. The tree was worshipped as Mother Earth and is believed to nurture humankind because the fruit are very nourishing. Kartik Mahatma and Vrat Kaumudi order the worship of this tree. The leaves are offered to the Lord of Shri Satyanarayana Vrata, Samba on Shri Shanipradosha Vrata and Shiva and Gowri on Nitya Somvara Vrata. The fruit and flowers are also used in worship. In Himachal Pradesh the tree is worshipped in Kartik as propitious and chaste. Amla tree is commonly planted in compounds of domestic and office buildings, bunds of agricultural holdings, roadside avenues, etc. Now many farmers in Haryana have taken to planting Amla on their farms as a cash crop.

Seed Packet # 1A193
Seed Name: Bengal Coffee (Coffee bengalensis )
An unusual coffee type that does not produce caffeine, but has a different flavor than the caffeine types and has not caught on. It is loaded with fragrant flowers in the spring and makes a wonderful potted plant.
Price per pack: $1.95
  10 seeds




2693 Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica )
The tamarind is a large tropical tree with a short massive trunk, ferny pinnate leaves, small yellow flowers and fat reddish brown pods. The tree can get 90 ft (27.4 m) tall but is usually less than 50 ft (15.2 ft). It has a short, stocky trunk, drooping branches and a domed umbrella shaped crown about as wide as the tree's height. The leaves are about 10 in (25.4 cm) long with 10-18 pairs of 1 in (2.5 cm) oblong leaflets. Tamarind drops its leaves in pronounced dry seasons; in climates without a dry season it stays evergreen. The flowers are about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, pale yellow with purple or red veins. They have five unequal lobes and borne in small drooping clusters. The velvety cinnamon brown pods are 2-6 in (5.1-15.2 cm) long, sausage shaped and constricted between the seeds. The pulp that surrounds the 8-10 seeds is both sweet and extremely sour.
Tamarinds are grown as ornamental shade and street trees, and for the edible pods. The pods are fed to livestock, and the pulp within the pods is used to make beverages, curries, chutneys and sauces. Tamarind pulp is made into a soft drink known as refresco de tamarindo in Latin America, and tamarinade in Jamaica. It's also the basis of a popular drink in the Middle East. Tamarind is used extensively in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine, and is an important ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. The juice is used to pickle fish in India. Several medicinal uses of tamarind are reported in Grieve's A Modern Herbal. The fruit is said to improve digestion, relieve gas, soothe sore throats, and act as a mild laxative.
The tamarind tree is a beautiful, fine textured tree and it makes an excellent shade tree in large landscapes. It often is planted in public parks and as an avenue tree in tropical cities. Best for zones 10 and up.
Price per pack: $2.95

  10 seeds



2350 Japanese Rasin Tree Hovenia dulcis
Japanese Raisintree can reach 40 to 50 feet in height but is most often seen at 30 to 35 feet with an open, upright, oval silhouette. Unfortunately it is a little too big for planting beneath most power lines. The tree usually maintains a fairly good central leader with small-diameter main branches. The four to six-inch-long, glossy green leaves are particularly striking and create light shade below the trees but they show no appreciable color change in autumn, dropping while they are still green. In early summer, the branch-tips of the trees are festooned with small, two to three-inch-long cymes of sweetly-fragrant, greenish-white flowers which are quite attractive to insects. These blooms are followed by the production of small, fleshy, brown drupes which ripen to bright red and have a flavor similar to a sweet raisin, giving the tree its common name. Hardy for zones 6A through 10A.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.50



E3102 Juneberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry ( Amelanchier alnifolia )
Low water requirements, grows as high as 10,000 feet. A deciduous shrub that seldom exceeds 15 feet in height and occasionally suckering to form a slowly spreading clump. An easily grown plant, it prefers a rich loamy soil and thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged. The largest yields, and best quality fruits, are produced when the plant is grown in a sunny position, though it should also do reasonably well in semi-shade. The plants are fairly lime tolerant and they will also grow well in heavy clay soils. They are very cold-hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°c and probably much lower. Flowers in Early Spring, these white flowers are produced before the plants come into leaf, and are usually produced so abundantly that the whole plant turns white. They look particularly beautiful at this time. By late June, or more commonly early to mid July, the plants will usually be carrying large crops of fruits. These fruits are about 15mm in diameter, they are soft, sweet and juicy with a taste that reminds us of apples. Small enough to be eaten without problems, though they can add a slightly bitter almond-like flavour to the fruit if they are crushed whilst eating. The fruit can also be cooked in pies etc., when dried it is quite sweet and can be used in the same ways as raisins.

  Package of 10 seeds $1.95



D2209 Chinese Hackberry Celtis sinensis
Tree grows to 10m in cultivation. Fruits are rich orange: stone pitted. A medium growing deciduous tree. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils. Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normal. Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1000 years. Zones 7-9.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.00



SO456 Japanese Persimmon Diospyros kaki
A very popular fruit tree from the Far East that has gained popularity in the US. Easy to grow from seeds. Can be raised inside in tubs in the north and outside in mild climates. The fruits are large, up to 3" across and sweet. Zones 7-9.

  Package of 6 seeds $2.50



FB101 Date Plum Diospyros lotus
A type of persimmon tree, produces a small fruit with a taste similar to both dates and plums. Known by the ancient Greeks as the fruit of the gods, the date plum is renowned for its sweet taste.
It is a decidious tree that is native to Middle East and South Asia, especially from China and Japan. This tree can reach up to 90 ft (30 m) tall in warm areas, but will generally be smaller. (Up to about 30 ft -10 m- tall) it bears edible small fruits in autumn.
The leaves of the date plum are decidious, and are about up to 4-5 in (10 - 12.5 cm) long. Flowers - Flowers are small and yellow-green, and are dioecious. At least both a male and female plant will be required to get viable seeds. A pack of 10 seeds will usually produce both male and female plants, can be pollinated by other persimmons.
The date plum is a close relative to the persimon. However, the date plum is a smaller fruit, as it is about 0.75 in (2 cm) wide. It is a globose yellow fruit that turns purple-brown when fully ripe. Like the persimon, the date plum looses its astringency when fully ripe. The flesh is then very soft and rich in flavour.
This tree is frost hardy down to -15°F (-25°C) and less. It can easily be grown in USDA zones 5 and warmer. The date plum needs a fairly well-drained and deep ground.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.95



RHM005 Canyon Grape Vitis arizonica
Sweet black 3/8" grapes in 2 - 4" clusters. Shrubby or scarcely climbing, with small 2 - 4" leaves. SW U.S. Zone 8. Grapes eaten fresh or dried by Indians.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.50



D2212 Tree Tomato Cyphomandra betacea
Egg shaped reddish-yellow fruit, eaten raw or in jam. An exotic fruit and plant. Most like to the fruit stewed and served as a side dish.

  Package of 10 seeds $1.95



D2217 American Persimmon Diospyros virginiana
A hardy tree that delivers large volumes of fruit at an early age. Fruits do not ripen until after frost in most areas. A slice of persimmon pie is a treat to be savored.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95



2929 Princess Persimmon ( Diospyros rhombifolia )
Also known as Chinese Persimmon. Persimmon is a decideous fruit tree adapted to warm temperate and sub-tropical climates. Persimmon has a primary center of genetic origin in the mountains of central China and a secondary centre in Japan. The persimmons has small leaves and produces 1" orange-red oval shaped fruit. The foliage that attaches to the fruit looks like the foliage attached to a tomato plant. Decideous, requires cool winter temps between 33F-45F. Zones 4-9.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.50



D2218 Grape Mahonia Mahonia Evergreen shrub with tough pinnate leaves. Flowers are yellow in dense terminal racemes followed by grape like black-blue berries that can be made into jelly.

  Package of 20 seeds $1.95



D2219 Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
Although its fruits are used in drinks and to make preserves, it is more sought after for its white shoots and silver undersides of leaves.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95



D2220 Honey Locusts Gleditsia
This tree is cultivated for its golden fern-like foliage. The pulp is sweet and thus the name. The pods are often fermented to make beer or to feed to livestock.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.50



D2222 Siberian Crabapple Malus baccata
This tree is grown for both its fruit and its ornamental value. Fruits are red or yellow and about 1 cm in size. Also called Flowering Crabapple. Very hardy and easy to grow.

  Package of 20 seeds $1.95



D2225 Russian Mulberrry Tree Morus Alba
This tree is grown for its abundance of fruit as well as its ornamental value. Its most important use however, is probably its leaves as a source of food for silkworms.

  Package of 50 seeds $1.95



D2226 Black Mulberry Morus nigra
A heavy fruiter like the Russian Mulberry but is preferred because it grows only a third as tall and is easier to harvest. Great pies and wine can be made from the fruit.

  Package of 50 seeds $1.95



D2230 Old Homestead Apple Malus pumila var. Wrightii
These apple trees have been growing in the south for generations providing cooking and fresh eating apples. The apples have a sweet/tart flavor that is unique to their strain. Excellent for pies. A heavy bearing fruit tree.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.00



2687 Antanovka Apple Malus var. antanovka
Hardy to zone 3. The most popular winter hardy rootstock for commercial plantings. It also produces a delicious, tart apple, found in many old rural homestead sites.

  Package of 20 seeds $2.50



2688 Borowinka Rootstock Apple Malus var. borowinka
Another domestic apple famed for it's rootstock use, it also produces a good, but tart, edible apple. Hardy to zone 3, grows in a wide range of soils and climates.

  Package of 20 seeds $2.50



D2249 Carob Tree Ceratonia
An evergreen tree that grows to 50 ft. Grows well in dry soils. The edible pods can be made into flour, which makes delicious candies, cakes, pastries and drinks.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95



1A030 Chinese Jujube Zizyphus jujuba
The tree has a weeping ornamental growth pattern. The fruits are smooth and round like an apple and can be eaten right off the tree. Very high in vitamin C. Very fragrant flowers.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95



2125 Inidan Jujube Zizyphus mauritania
A smaller version of the Chinese Jujube, it needs zone 9 and higher to produce fruit. A bushy, deciduous tree to 20' with ovate leaves. It's 1 inch, acidic tasting fruits are used preserved, dried, pickled, and in confections. Fragrant flowers.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.50



D2267 Pomegranate Punica
A very decorative ornamental that has a pleasant tasting fruit. It has vermilion red flowers and small glossy leaves.

  Package of 20 seeds $1.95



D2285 Strawberry Tree Arbutus
A beautiful evergreen tree that is very attractive. The strawberry shaped fruits make a stimulating wine.

  Package of 10 seeds $1.95



2193 Silver Buffaloberry Sheperdia argentia
Hardy to Zone 3. Grows to12ft. tall x 6ft.wide. Silver foliage (similar to Russian olive) offers multiple uses for this hardy shrub. Small yellowish flowers. Female has bright red fruit that are edible to people and birds. Note: We recommend CAPE seed germination primer be used for these seeds.

  Package of 10 seeds $1.95




2640 Giant Granadilla Passiflora quadrangularis
The Giant Granadilla forms a larger leaf and is a more vigorous grower than the yellow passion fruit. This plant derives its botanical name from the fact that the stems are quad rangular in cross section. It is a vigorous grower that can grow 50 feet or more in a single season, for zones 10 and higher, or warm greenhouses.
Fruit of the giant granadilla reach a length of up to 12 inches and turn yellow when mature. The pulp around the seeds is used to flavor ice cream and to make a cooling drink. In addition, the flesh of this fruit is edible. The green fruit is boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The fully ripe flesh is eaten alone or in combination with such fruits as papaya and pineapple.

 $2.95 ( 10 seeds per pack )



D2297 Pepino Tree Solanum muricatum
A shrubby plant growing to 3 ft. that produces fruit that resembles a cream colored egg. The fruit has a slightly sweet taste, very good for salads or stews.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95

Filberts



FRD15 American Filbert Corylus americana
Good for Zones 4-9. Multi stemmed, branching shrub to about 10 ft. tall. Attractive, pointed, toothed, dark green leaves. Bears loads of edible nuts in fall. Native to Eastern US.


FDR16 European Filbert Corylus avellana
A close relative of our American Hazelnut, this plant produces larger trees and more fruit. It is cold hardy and resistant to most diseases. According to research books, it should start bearing fruit in 3-4 years from seeds. Does well in most soils.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50





FDR17 Turkish Hazelnut Corylus colurna
Turkish Hazel is a 40 to 50-foot-tall, occasionally 80-foot-tall (in its native habitat), deciduous tree with a beautiful pyramidal shape, the thick, tan to grey, short trunk supporting the dense horizontal branches. Growth rate is usually slow. Like many trees with horizontal branches, the main limbs are quite small in diameter in relationship to the typically straight trunk, and arise at almost a 90-degree angle. This should make the tree quite durable in urban areas and helps maintain a symmetrical crown so prized by landscape architects. The lush, dark green leaves are five inches long and stay on the tree long into the fall, finally turning a pale yellow/green before dropping, but fall color is far from striking. Inconspicuous female flowers and two to three-inch-long, attractive male catkins are produced in early spring and are followed by the production of clustered fruits which are quite irresistible to squirrels. On some older trees, the bark becomes ridged and corky, peeling off in sections to expose the orange/brown bark beneath. But this characteristic varies from one tree to the next. Best for zones 5-7.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50





FDR25 Chinese Hazelnut Corylus chinensis
Very similar to common hazlenut, this one is a bit faster grower. Bears loads of small, sweet nuts.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50




Pecan Trees


FRD20 Sweet Pecan Carya illinoensis improved
This seed is from grafted parent plants for improved nut quality. Produceds large quantities of sweet, flavorful nuts. Hardy for zones 5-9. A medium sized, fast growing pecan tree. Seed requires 60-90 days cold moist stratification.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50
  Package of 50 seeds $19.50

Hickory Trees


FRD11 Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata
Shagbark hickory is probably the most distinctive of all the hickories because of its loose-plated bark. Common names include shellbark hickory, scalybark hickory, shagbark, and upland hickory. Shagbark hickory is evenly distributed throughout the Eastern States and, together with pignut hickory, furnishes the bulk of the commercial hickory. The tough resilient properties of the wood make it suitable for products subject to impact and stress. The sweet nuts, once a staple food for American Indians, provide food for wildlife. Zones 5-8A.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50
  Package of 50 seeds $19.50


FDR50 Shellbark Hickory Carya lacinosa
The shellbark hickory is a large tree with shaggy gray bark and big compound leaves borne in a cylindrical crown. This uncommon hickory has a narrow, oblong crown and a relatively slender, straight trunk, usually free of branches for more than half its length. Shellbark can reach a height of 120 ft (36.6 m) with a trunk diameter of 3 ft (0.9 m). Twigs are stout and distinctly orange-brown in color.
The bark is broken up into long thick plates which curl outward only slightly at their ends. The deciduous leaves are compound, 15-22 in (38-60 cm) long, with 5-9 (usually 7) leaflets. The fruit is between 2 and 3 in (5-7.6 cm) long, and the orange-brown husk splits open into four sections when ripe. The nut within is flattened, with prominent ridges and a sharp point at the end. Inside the nut's hard thick shell is an edible sweet, oily kernel.
This hickory's "shellbark" grows in thick plates that curl up at the ends and evenntually fall off. Shellbark hickory grows naturally only in the US from western New York through southern Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and south to Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. There are a handful of isolated outlying populations in Louisiana, southern Georgia, southern Alabama, and North Carolina. Shellbark hickory occurs most abundantly in the Ohio and upper Mississippi valleys. This is a tree of the bottomlands and floodplains, often growing where it gets flooded during high water. It sometimes occurs in pure groves, but more often is mixed with other bottomland trees such as red maple, sweetgum and chestnut oak.
Needs full sun. Shellbark hickory tolerates shallow flooding for brief periods in spring. Otherwise it does best on rich, fertile soils with the ability to retain some moisture. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 - 8.
The shellbark hickory features fine foliage and boasts big edible nuts beloved both by beasts and hungry humans. Shellbark hickory nuts are the largest of all the hickories. They are relished by wildlife, especially bears, squirrels and foxes. People also eat the nuts which can sometimes be found in local markets. The dark brown wood is strong, hard and rigid. It is used for tool handles, especially axes and hammers. It was once one of the most important hickories for its wood, but large areas within its range have been overharvested. Shellbark hickory is an uncommon tree in the wild and in cultivation. It would be suitable for a park, campus or estate.

FRD03 English Walnut Juglans regia carp.
Juglans regia (the Common walnut, Persian walnut, or English walnut), is the original walnut tree of the Old World. It is native in a region stretching from the Balkans eastward to the Himalayas and southwest China.
The bark is smooth, olive-brown when young and silvery-grey on older branches, with scattered broad fissures with a rougher texture. Like all walnuts, the pith of the twigs contains air spaces, the chambered pith brownish in colour. The leaves are alternately arranged, 25-40 cm long, odd-pinnate with 5–9 leaflets, paired alternately with one terminal leaflet. The largest leaflets the three at the apex, 10–18 cm long and 6–8 cm broad; the basal pair of leaflets much smaller, 5–8 cm long, the margins of the leaflets entire. The male flowers are in drooping catkins 5–10 cm long, the female flowers terminal, in clusters of two to five, ripening in the autumn into a fruit with a green, semi-fleshy husk and a brown corrugated nut. The whole fruit, including the husk, falls in autumn; the seed is large, with a relatively thin shell, and edible, with a rich flavour.
Good for zones 3-7.

  Package of 5 seeds $4.50


FRD08 Black Walnut Juglans nigra
One of the most popular nut trees in the US. It is abundant in hedgerows and oldfields, as well as river bottoms and coves. In the open, walnut has a short main stem with a broad crown. With even moderate competition, walnut forms a tall, stately tree. On poor sites, walnut will become established and persist, but will not become a canopy tree and is eventually snuffed out by competition.
Black walnut produces seed crops every year, and heavy seed crops intermittently. Seeds are highly sought by squirrels, which cache seeds by burying them. Germination occurs the following year. Seeds can form a long-term seed bank. Black walnut is intolerant and grows moderately fast. First reproduction may occur by ten years. Few walnuts live longer than 200 years, though a few persist for up to 250 years. Stems are usually short and forked unless grown with competition.
Walnut seeds are an important food item for grey squirrels. Walnut leaves are host to a number of insects and diseases, which cause the leaves to drop in late summer. Black walnut is famous for its allelopathic inhibition of the growth of nearby plants. Despite this, the effect is not commonly observed in the field.
Black walnut is the premier hardwood species in North America, and one of the most valuable woods in the world. Supplies of quality walnut are declining, as a result of overharvesting. Attempts to grow walnut in plantations for fine wood production have met with limited succcess. Walnut wood is dark and hard, but workable, with fine grain. It is prized for gunstocks, furniture and face veneer. The nuts are collected throughout the midwest, and are used in baking and ice cream making.
Native Americans and European settlers prized the rich nuts. Native Americans harvested the buttery fat left from boiling the nuts, which may be up to 60% fat. Cherokees dried the nuts for winter use, and made porridge from ground nuts mixed with hominy and beans. Iroquois made beverages, soups, breads, pies and puddings from the nuts. Native Americans of many tribes also made dye from fruit husks, roots, barks and charred wood, and used many parts for drugs. Hardy to zone 4.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50


FRD07 Butternut Juglans cinerea
Butternut, also called white walnut or oilnut, grows rapidly on well-drained soils of hillsides and streambanks in mixed hardwood forests. This small to medium-sized tree is short lived, seldom reaching the age of 75. Butternut is more valued for its nuts than for lumber. The soft coarse-grained wood works, stains, and finishes well. Small amounts are used for cabinetwork, furniture, and novelties. The sweet nuts are prized as a food by man and animals. Butternut is easily grown but must be transplanted early because of the quickly developing root system. Hardy to zone 3.

  Package of 5 seeds $3.50