Walnuts (Juglans nigra L. - black walnut )

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IDYXM 15 October 2008 Walnuts (Juglans nigra L. - black walnut) or American Walnut.
Most people avoid these nuts in the wild due to not knowing how to get at the meat. There is a walnut tree along my walking path, and 220 nuts about 12 pounds were collected from the tree and from the ground below. These nuts were processed and the pictures indicate the process. At this stage of dryness the meat completely fills the nut case, and crackling is almost impossible without complete shattering. As the meat dries the membranes shrink and cracking is facilitated.

I spilled some of the nut washing water on the grass and instantly the earthworms rose to the surface, and have since died. The tree produces a toxin called Juglone, which inhibits growth of many plants. This toxin insures few plants grow around the base of a Juglans nigra L. - black walnut. It is probably prudent to not grow these trees in a backyard garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BAPAP 17 October 2008 (Juglans nigra L. - black walnut) or American Walnut.
A friend informed me about a walnut tree, and I visited and got about 20 lbs. On the way home I saw a tree along the road and got another 20 pounds. The walnuts were processed and the total nuts were 650 about 36 pounds. They will be cured and used this winter for snack food. Total time processing was 3 hours and 20 minutes.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EKRKO 19 October 2008 Black Walnut Nutcracker
After attempting to crack these stone hard black walnuts using compression tools to no satisfactory effect, I decided to experiment utilizing readily available parts from a local farm equipment store. The annotated pictures depict the method, which is highly successful. This method could be utilized for other nuts by simply using the appropriate sized pulley. The Pulley is ideal since it gives a good sturdy base. A distinct advantage is the nut shells don't fly around when smacked with the hammer. All compression tools crush the meat. Using this method meat crushing is minimized.The collar insert makes removal form the pulley after crushing easy.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?TRXUG 24 October 2008 (Juglans nigra L. - black walnut) Processing
I found another Black Walnut tree today along a side road, and collected 540 nuts from the ground, and processed them. Total time 2 hours and 25 minutes. My handling method is refined slightly.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BRZNS Summary: Walnut Experience.