Heartnut Seedlings (Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis)

Heartnut is a naturally occurring variety of Japanese walnut. As the name implies, the nuts are heart shaped. With the right technique, they crack easily and often release the kernel whole or in halves. The nuts taste delicious having a sweeter and more mellow flavor than other walnuts. The nuts are very healthy and can be used in any way you would use traditional walnuts from the grocery store such as in baking, candies, on granola or oatmeal or simply as a snack. The heart shaped shells are also lovely and fun to use for jewelry making or in crafts. 

Heartnuts are fast growing trees that reach a height of 35-50 feet tall. They have broad canopies and very large leaves that give them an exotic, tropical look. Their fast growth rate and pleasant appearance makes them wonderful ornamental shade trees that also have the benefit of providing an edible tree crop. They prefer full sun and well drained soil, but are fairly versatile trees and are able to cope with a variety of soils and sites. We have planted them on mounds in our heavy clay soil and they are growing extremely vigorously and have been so rewarding to watch. Like all walnuts, they are technically self fertile, but will produce much better when planted around other seedlings or other walnut species. This year we are offering hybrid heartnuts from Z’s Nutty Ridge and are a mix of hybrids including black walnut x heartnut, English walnut x heartnut and butternut x heartnut. The nuts produced by these hybrid seedlings will be a really interesting and diverse mix. Seedlings are 16”+ tall. Hardy to zone 5.

This species cannot be shipped to: AZ, CA, KS, TX.