Northeast Gardening: Black Walnut, a worthwhile investment, 0 by prettyhortgirl

prettyhortgirl wrote:
While in school, more than once we were advised to plant black walnut trees on our properties if possible because in our area it is very valuable wood and a good financial investment for your children.

"The lumber of the black walnut is far more valuable than the nuts. The best logs are sliced for panelling or decorative veneer. Sawn black walnut is used for high-quality furniture, cabinets, interior joinery, rifle butts and gunstocks, boats, musical instruments, clock cases, carvings, and many other novelty products.

Although black walnut tree has been a high-return timber crop for decades, few plantations have been established. Many factors contribute to the lack of interest by landowners. One factor is length of the investment period. Like all other investments in timber plantations, years must pass before cash flow becomes positive.

Another factor may be the intensive management required. Black walnut plantations don't require the intensive management of conventional row crops, but numerous production problems must be overcome for plantations to be profitable. "

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/446-602/446-602.html