Nut Tree Query

I am very interested to develop research on planting some nut tree guilds next year. I wonder if anyone has experience with nut trees in / around Missoula (I am located south in Hamilton). I wish to pursue proper zone tolerable plantings as well as use some micro-climate techniques to work in some zone 5/6 varieties. Any species info experience is appreciated.

You can likely get some good info here:

http://nutgrowing.org/

Around Missoula, I've seen various kinds of chestnuts and acorns. There are debates about the edibility of black locust and honey locust, and those both grow in Missoula. And then there are the various pine nuts. Gingko biloba grows around here as well, and folks eat those nuts, but you need both a male and female tree for pollination. Hazelnuts are supposed to be able to grow in zone 4, but I haven't seen any around.

I assume there used to be more hardwoods and native nut bearing trees before the forest service started implementing their softwood agenda years ago. I am planning on planting a whole lotta nut trees this spring. I think most people just haven't tried or even thought of it. I plan to plant:

-pinon pine and stone pine
-northern pecan
-various hazelnuts
-English and Black Walnuts
-various Oaks
-various Chestnuts

The big thing here is that you want to do your research and make sure you are willing to accept that somethings wont work. But if Sepp Holzer can grow citrus where he does, I imagine there is a huge opportunity for people to grow and sell lots of nuts locally. Granted that your can create suitable growing conditions for these nut trees.

Tim and Jacob,

How are your nut trees coming along?

Our jump into nut tree planting commenced this past spring. We put in 4 tree belts over an 8 acre pasture comprising of 1250 trees with a focus on nut production. Chestnuts, filberts / hazelnuts, hickory and almonds trees make up the bulk of the plantings. Time will tell how the design will fair with both food production and livestock rotation underneath. As we enter 2015, we are designing a new parcel to plant Juglan variety type trees (pecans, walnuts, heartnuts, etc). Very excited about the long term productivity potential for this ground.

Wow. That is cool you are doing a big planting. I have been wanting to see how the different types do up here. Often I read they grow here but never confirmed anybody trying. Last fall I ordered some Juglans seeds from Oikos so I have some buartnuts and buartnuts x English but they are only about 2 feet tall. The black walnuts didn't come up yet. Hopefully next spring.

Did you plant mostly grafted trees, seedlings, or both?

Hi, I'm just curious how your trees are turning out down in Hamilton? How are your black walnut and Chestnut trees doing specially? We are looking at planting a few trees on our property but don't want to waste the space if they don't produce. What have been your best producing trees so far?
Thanks
Seth

I found a few more chestnut trees in Missoula this year, including one pretty good sized one. Also found a chestnut-leafed oak tree across the street from Freecycles. Spotted a hazlenut along a fence in a yard, but it may have been planted this year. Checked in on some black walnuts, and they're doing fine.

Not a nut, but I also found some very late fruiting caragana with quite large peas.