Organic monkey nuts (Juglans mandshurica)

Monkey nuts or Tigernut (Manchurian walnut) / Juglans mandshurica

A species of deciduous monoecious trees or shrubs of the genus Walnut. The natural range of the species is Manchuria (northern China), the Far East (Primorye and Amur region), as well as the Korean Peninsula.

It grows in mixed cedar-broad-leaved forests along river valleys and in the lower belt of mountains, climbing to a height of 500-2800 m above sea level.

Lives up to 250 years. It grows quickly until the age of 80-90, then growth stops.

Winter-hardy, tolerates low temperatures, for example, grows satisfactorily in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in Kuzbass, as well as in North America - in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; if they freeze, new shoots resume growth from dormant buds in mid-June. Light-loving, but can also grow in the shade. Prefers fertile, moist, loose soils and is sensitive to lack of soil and atmospheric moisture.

The height reaches 25-30 m. The trunk is smooth, straight, with a spreading or wide-round openwork crown, reminiscent of the crown of some types of palm trees.

The bark is dark gray, the shoots are yellowish-brown, pubescent.

Leaves on petioles 5-20 cm long, alternate, compound, imparipinnate, up to 40-90 cm long (less often up to 1.25 m), with 7-19 oblong-elliptical serrated leaflets measuring 6-17 cm in length and 2-7 cm wide. The leaf blade is serrated, rarely finely toothed, its apex is pointed, the abaxial side is pubescent.

The flowers are small, unisexual, appearing simultaneously with the blossoming of the leaves. Staminate flowers in long pendulous catkins, pistillate flowers - 3-10 at the ends of the shoots. Blooms in April - May.

The fruits are drupe-shaped, oval, reminiscent of a walnut, but smaller (2.5-7.5 cm) and have a very thick green or brownish shell. The nut kernel is small in size and edible. The fruits ripen in August - October and fall quickly. The tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 4-8 years (in cultivation - at 12-15 years).

Manchurian nut is widely used for landscaping cities. Decorative with a beautiful shape of a wide and rounded crown, unusual large leaves.

The wood is hard, beautifully textured, with narrow light gray sapwood and brown heartwood. Used to make furniture, crafts, and high-quality plywood.

The nut kernel is used in the confectionery industry to obtain high-quality oil.

The bark, leaves, and fruits contain tannins. Honey plant.