Walnuts

Abstract

Walnut (genus Juglans) is known for the nuts and timber it produces. There are many species but it is the Persian walnut ( Juglans regia) which is best known and grown most extensively in the world as a food crop. It is also commonly known as the "English" walnut but the name "Persian" is preferred because it indicates the area extending from Eastern Europe to the Himalayas where the species is native. It is widely cultivated with commercial production in France, Italy, Turkey, China, India, and the United States, the leading producer. Practically all of the U.S. production is in California (mostly in the interior valleys) which now has about 178,000 bearing acres with an average yield of around one and one-third short tons (in-shell basis) per acre. Many orchards produce over two tons per acre and yields of three tons are common in some of the recent plantings.