The Tall Tale Of The Walnut Tree
Country Life UK|September 11, 2019
From its origins in the Garden of Eden to its intricately patterned wood and our love of cracking open and consuming its hard-shelled fruit, the walnut tree has enjoyed a long and colourful history, says Charles Hulbert-Powell
Charles Hulbert-Powell
The Tall Tale Of The Walnut Tree
THE walnut is not a tree native to the UK, but it has had a remarkable history of migration. The common walnut, Juglans regia, originated in the Middle East, mainly in eastern Turkey, Georgia and Iran, possible site of the Garden of Eden. Trading was the biggest contributor to the migration, both east and west, from the tree’s origins. A 5th-century, chestnut built boat with walnut shells in the hull was found in the Port of Yenikapı near Istanbul, Turkey, and the walnut is mentioned in Greek mythology—Dionysus turned his daughter Karya into a walnut tree and the translation has remained in the Greek language.

The walnut moved north from Yenikapı into Romania, then up the Carpathian Mountains to Poland, whereupon an adventurous Pole took some to Canada and they thrived. Later, the tree moved west across the Adriatic into Italy, where walnut shells were found in the ruins of Pompei following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in ad79. In the Vatican museum, a mosaic taken from the Emperor Hadrian’s villa in the Aventine hills depicts a mouse about to consume a walnut among the debris from a feast.

The common walnut, thanks to the Roman army and traders, can now be found in Spain, France, England, the Balkans, Armenia and Morocco. Other traders took the tree to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, California, the Far East, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Despite being a long way from the Middle East, the walnut thrives in Britain. For good walnut production, the soil should have a ph of 5.5, be of a loam-clay texture and well-drained. The trees should face the prevailing wind to assist pollination, but should not be too exposed to high winds. It’s a slow-growing tree, which should have a pleasing dome shape and will enhance a garden if given plenty of room.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 11, 2019 من Country Life UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 11, 2019 من Country Life UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من COUNTRY LIFE UK مشاهدة الكل
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
Country Life UK

Kitchen garden cook - Apples

'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024
The original Mr Rochester
Country Life UK

The original Mr Rochester

Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre

time-read
5 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Get it write
Country Life UK

Get it write

Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution

time-read
6 mins  |
October 23, 2024
'Sloes hath ben my food'
Country Life UK

'Sloes hath ben my food'

A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright

time-read
3 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Souvenirs of greatness
Country Life UK

Souvenirs of greatness

FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Plants for plants' sake
Country Life UK

Plants for plants' sake

The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson

time-read
7 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Capturing the castle
Country Life UK

Capturing the castle

Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker

time-read
6 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Nature's own cathedral
Country Life UK

Nature's own cathedral

Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods

time-read
5 mins  |
October 23, 2024
All that money could buy
Country Life UK

All that money could buy

A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages

time-read
8 mins  |
October 23, 2024
In with the old
Country Life UK

In with the old

Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery

time-read
5 mins  |
October 23, 2024