Foraging for edible nuts right in your own backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many nut trees produce large green fruits containing delicious nuts that are perfect for DIY harvesting. In this article, we’ll explore 7 of the best trees that yield sizable green nuts you can gather and enjoy fresh from your home orchard.
Shagbark Hickory
One of the most common backyard trees with hefty green nuts is the shagbark hickory. This deciduous tree can grow over 100 feet tall and is native to eastern and central North America. The shagbark hickory is named for its unique peeling bark that curls into long strips, giving the trunk a shaggy appearance.
The female trees make big green balls about the size of a golf ball in the fall. The nut husks are these green balls. When the nuts are ready, the husks split open, letting the tasty nutmeat inside. The bitter, strong taste of snagbark hickory nuts is similar to that of walnuts. They are hard to crack open, but if you can get the nutmeat out, they make a tasty wild food treat.
Shagbark hickory trees take around 10 years to begin producing nuts. They thrive in zones 4-9 in a variety of soil types and can withstand arid conditions. Allow ample space since shagbark hickory releases juglone, a chemical that inhibits other plant growth.
Black Walnut
Another classic green nut tree is the black walnut. This large deciduous tree reaches up to 130 feet tall with a broad, open canopy Black walnut is native to central and eastern North America but has become naturalized across much of the country.
Around September, green fruits the size of tennis balls appear containing the walnut kernels. The thick green husks split open upon ripening, releasing the large black walnuts. Inside the rough, furrowed shell is a bold, earthy flavored nutmeat.
About 10 years pass before black walnut trees start to bear nuts. They grow well in zones 4-9 with full sun exposure. Avoid planting black walnut near gardens since it releases juglone. Don’t get nut husk on your hands when you handle nuts that have been shelled.
Butternut
Similar to black walnut, the butternut tree also produces sizable green nut husks. Butternut is a medium sized deciduous tree reaching 60 feet tall. It is native to northeastern North America.
The round nuts grow inside green husks that are fluffy and about the size of a lime. When the nuts are ready, the husks open up and the pointed, tan nuts fall out. Butternut kernels have a sweet, buttery flavor. The trees do well in zones 3–7, and after 4–6 years, they bear nuts. Butternut trees also put out juglone, so make sure they have a lot of room in the yard.
Heartnut
Here’s a unique nut tree that produces distinct heart-shaped nuts. Heartnut is actually a hybrid crossing between Japanese walnut and butternut. The trees reach about 50 feet tall at maturity.
In the fall, heartnut trees make big green husks that hold their heart-shaped nuts. The nuts have a thin shell that is easy to break. They taste mildly sweet, like butternut squash. Heartnut trees thrive in zones 4-9. They only produce a small amount at first, but as the trees get older, they produce more.
American Chestnut
American chestnut was once a prevalent nut tree across eastern North America until chestnut blight decimated populations in the early 1900s. Today, blight-resistant cultivars are bringing hope of restoring these stately trees that can grow over 100 feet tall.
In fall, American chestnut produces spiny green burs filled with sweet tan nuts. The nuts have a mild flavor and smooth shell. American chestnut thrives in zones 5-8 with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Avoid windy areas which may topple the shallow-rooted trees.
Hazelnut
For a smaller green nut tree, consider the multi-stemmed hazelnut shrub. Common hazelnut varieties grow up to 15 feet tall and thrive across most of North America in zones 3-8. The shrubs produce fuzzy green husks containing small, rounded hazelnuts in late summer.
There are also giant hybrid hazelnut varieties that yield larger nuts. Give hazelnuts full sun and fertile soil for best production. Harvest the ripe nuts before squirrels steal them all! Prune annually to keep plants healthy and productive.
Pecan
In warmer zones across the south, you’ll find towering pecan trees dripping with green nut clusters. Pecan is a large deciduous tree native to south central North America but cultivated more widely for its edible nuts.
Pecan trees produce copious oblong green fruits containing thin-shelled nuts with a rich oily flavor. The green husks split open when ripe in fall, dropping the nutmeat free. Pecan trees take about 10 years to bear nuts but then produce prolific crops annually. They thrive in zones 6-9 with hot summers and mild winters.
Growing your own pecans or any of these trees can bring the joy of harvesting and eating fresh-picked backyard nuts. With so many green-husked varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect nut tree to fit your climate and space. Just be sure to plant them in an open area to allow for mature growth. Then wait a few years for your first bountiful nut harvest!
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FAQ
What type of tree has green nuts?
Like pecans, hickory nuts (both shagbark and shellbark) grow in a greenish husk which splits and ejects the nuts when they are ripe.
What is a big tree with little green balls?
Chestnut. A fungus called blight killed off most of the American chestnut trees, which have green balls on top. They used to be one of the most common native trees in North America. Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) or hybrids between the two species are more likely to be found nowadays.
Can you eat the nuts from a shagbark hickory tree?
If you roast them for 10 to 15 minutes, many people say they taste less bitter. I like to eat them fresh. Use them as you would any other nut. I think they taste much better than their store-bought kin.
What are the big round green nuts?
Shagbark hickory nuts drop from the tree as a green orb the size of a golf ball. That orb is a thick husk and it often splits on impact or as it dries out.
What are the different types of nut tree nuts?
The shape, size, and color of the nuts can vary depending on the species of tree. Some common types of nut tree nuts include: Walnuts, which are large, round nuts with a hard shell. Pecans, which are smaller, oval nuts with a thin shell. Hickory nuts, which are large, triangular nuts with a thick shell. Identifying Nut Trees by Their Flowers.
Which nut is best for a garden?
Imagine a nut that’s as heartwarming as its name suggests. Heartnut trees are cherished for their unique, heart-shaped nuts. They thrive in well-drained soils and enjoy a sunny spot. With proper care, these trees can be a charming addition to any garden. 7. Butternut (Juglans Cinerea).
What are the best nut trees to plant?
Two or more trees should be planted for the best nut production. Black walnut is one of the best trees to choose from if you are interested in making money from trees in the US. 6. White Walnuts/ Butternuts (Juglans cinerea) Another important walnut variety is the white walnut or butternut.
What are the common nut trees in Michigan?
In Michigan, both shagbark hickory and black walnut are common in the wild. Black walnut trees are easily recognizable by their tropical-looking leaves. They can grow very large.
What does a nut tree look like?
The shape and arrangement of the leaflets can vary depending on the species of tree. The bark of nut trees is typically rough and scaly. The color of the bark can vary depending on the species of tree, but it is often brown or gray. The flowers of nut trees are typically small and inconspicuous. They are often clustered together in catkins.
Which Nut Tree is native to South Africa?
The Mongongo Tree (Schinziophyton rautanenii) is only found in southern Africa. Its nuts are high in fat and protein and have been collected for generations. It tolerates drought and grows in sandy or rocky soils, providing an important local food and oil source.