Foraging for edible nuts right in your own backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many nut trees produce large green fruits containing delicious nuts that are perfect for DIY harvesting. In this article, we’ll explore 7 of the best trees that yield sizable green nuts you can gather and enjoy fresh from your home orchard.
Shagbark Hickory
One of the most common backyard trees with hefty green nuts is the shagbark hickory. This deciduous tree can grow over 100 feet tall and is native to eastern and central North America. The shagbark hickory is named for its unique peeling bark that curls into long strips, giving the trunk a shaggy appearance.
In fall, the female trees produce large spherical green fruits around the size of a golf ball. These green orbs are the nut husks, which split open as the nuts mature, releasing the prized nutmeat inside. Shagbark hickory nuts have a bitter, robust flavor reminiscent of walnut. They are quite hard to crack open, but provide a tasty wild-foraged treat if you can extract the nutmeat.
Shagbark hickory trees take around 10 years to begin producing nuts. They thrive in zones 4-9 in a variety of soil types and can withstand arid conditions. Allow ample space since shagbark hickory releases juglone, a chemical that inhibits other plant growth.
Black Walnut
Another classic green nut tree is the black walnut. This large deciduous tree reaches up to 130 feet tall with a broad, open canopy Black walnut is native to central and eastern North America but has become naturalized across much of the country.
Around September, green fruits the size of tennis balls appear containing the walnut kernels. The thick green husks split open upon ripening, releasing the large black walnuts. Inside the rough, furrowed shell is a bold, earthy flavored nutmeat.
Black walnut trees take about 10 years to begin bearing nuts. They grow well in zones 4-9 with full sun exposure. Avoid planting black walnut near gardens since it releases juglone. Wear gloves when handling the husked nuts to avoid nut husk stain.
Butternut
Similar to black walnut, the butternut tree also produces sizable green nut husks. Butternut is a medium sized deciduous tree reaching 60 feet tall. It is native to northeastern North America.
The oval nuts form inside downy green husks about the size of a lime. When ripe, the husks open up releasing the pointed, tan nuts. Butternut kernels have a sweet, buttery flavor. The trees grow well in zones 3-7 and yield nuts after 4-6 years. Butternut trees also release juglone so allow ample room in the landscape.
Heartnut
Here’s a unique nut tree that produces distinct heart-shaped nuts. Heartnut is actually a hybrid crossing between Japanese walnut and butternut. The trees reach about 50 feet tall at maturity.
Heartnut produces large green husks in fall containing the namesake heart-shaped nuts. The nuts have a thin, easy to crack shell with a mild, sweet flavor similar to butternut. Heartnut trees thrive in zones 4-9. They yield lightly after just a few years then increase production as the trees mature.
American Chestnut
American chestnut was once a prevalent nut tree across eastern North America until chestnut blight decimated populations in the early 1900s. Today, blight-resistant cultivars are bringing hope of restoring these stately trees that can grow over 100 feet tall.
In fall, American chestnut produces spiny green burs filled with sweet tan nuts. The nuts have a mild flavor and smooth shell. American chestnut thrives in zones 5-8 with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Avoid windy areas which may topple the shallow-rooted trees.
Hazelnut
For a smaller green nut tree, consider the multi-stemmed hazelnut shrub. Common hazelnut varieties grow up to 15 feet tall and thrive across most of North America in zones 3-8. The shrubs produce fuzzy green husks containing small, rounded hazelnuts in late summer.
There are also giant hybrid hazelnut varieties that yield larger nuts. Give hazelnuts full sun and fertile soil for best production. Harvest the ripe nuts before squirrels steal them all! Prune annually to keep plants healthy and productive.
Pecan
In warmer zones across the south, you’ll find towering pecan trees dripping with green nut clusters. Pecan is a large deciduous tree native to south central North America but cultivated more widely for its edible nuts.
Pecan trees produce copious oblong green fruits containing thin-shelled nuts with a rich oily flavor. The green husks split open when ripe in fall, dropping the nutmeat free. Pecan trees take about 10 years to bear nuts but then produce prolific crops annually. They thrive in zones 6-9 with hot summers and mild winters.
Growing your own pecans or any of these trees can bring the joy of harvesting and eating fresh-picked backyard nuts. With so many green-husked varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect nut tree to fit your climate and space. Just be sure to plant them in an open area to allow for mature growth. Then wait a few years for your first bountiful nut harvest!
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FAQ
What type of tree has green nuts?
Like pecans, hickory nuts (both shagbark and shellbark) grow in a greenish husk which splits and ejects the nuts when they are ripe.
What is a big tree with little green balls?
Chestnut. American chestnut (Castanea dentata) are trees with green balls and used to be one of the most widespread native trees in North America, but a fungus blight wiped out most of them. Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) or hybrids between the two species are more likely to be found nowadays.
Can you eat the nuts from a shagbark hickory tree?
I love to eat these fresh, but many people say roasting for 10 or 15 minutes takes away some of the bitterness. Use them as you would any other nut. I think they taste much better than their store-bought kin.
What are the big round green nuts?
Shagbark hickory nuts drop from the tree as a green orb the size of a golf ball. That orb is a thick husk and it often splits on impact or as it dries out.
What are the different types of nut tree nuts?
The shape, size, and color of the nuts can vary depending on the species of tree. Some common types of nut tree nuts include: Walnuts, which are large, round nuts with a hard shell. Pecans, which are smaller, oval nuts with a thin shell. Hickory nuts, which are large, triangular nuts with a thick shell. Identifying Nut Trees by Their Flowers
Which nut is best for a garden?
Imagine a nut that’s as heartwarming as its name suggests. Heartnut trees are cherished for their unique, heart-shaped nuts. They thrive in well-drained soils and enjoy a sunny spot. With proper care, these trees can be a charming addition to any garden. 7. Butternut (Juglans Cinerea)
What are the best nut trees to plant?
Two or more trees should be planted for the best nut production. Black walnut is one of the best trees to choose from if you are interested in making money from trees in the US. 6. White Walnuts/ Butternuts (Juglans cinerea) Another important walnut variety is the white walnut or butternut.
What are the common nut trees in Michigan?
In Michigan, both shagbark hickory and black walnut are common in the wild. Black walnut trees are easily recognizable by their tropical-looking leaves. They can grow very large.
What does a nut tree look like?
The shape and arrangement of the leaflets can vary depending on the species of tree. The bark of nut trees is typically rough and scaly. The color of the bark can vary depending on the species of tree, but it is often brown or gray. The flowers of nut trees are typically small and inconspicuous. They are often clustered together in catkins.
Which Nut Tree is native to South Africa?
The Mongongo Tree (Schinziophyton rautanenii) is endemic to southern Africa, where its edible nuts are high in fat and protein and traditionally gathered. It tolerates drought and grows in sandy or rocky soils, providing an important local food and oil source.