I remember reading somewhere that walnut trees have the ability to secrete a chemical that will prevent growth from around its base. With this fact in mind, I have avoided adding any walnut shavings to my compost pile, being afraid that it would kill anything I used the compost on. Can you verify this fact for me? – Peter N. Williams
Tim Inman: Juglone is the chemical you’re thinking of, which is produced by Juglans nigra– American black walnut. Black walnuts produce this to protect themselves and their surroundings from competition. It will do serious damage to tomatoes, strawberries, and a host of other “desirable” plants, and some animals. I would definitely NOT put walnut anything into the compost pile. I innocently mulched my fruit trees with walnut hulls one year. The new fruit tree replacements are just now reaching bearing age…
