How2Day: Nut Trees in Rhode Island

Few things top the enjoyment of relaxing in the shade of a big tree on a hot summer day. But one thing that might, is if that lovely shade tree produces edible nuts. If you reside in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, you are indeed fortunate, because numerous native trees that produce edible nuts can be found growing wild or may be planted there. These trees include species such as black walnut, shagbark hickory and American hazelnut.

The majestic black walnut (Juglans nigra), growing in ideal conditions, may reach a height of nearly 150 feet, with a diameter approaching 8 feet. Initially, this tree grows quickly, as much as 3 feet the year it sprouts and double that the following year. The walnut, which develops within a yellowish-green husk, drops from the limbs when ripe. Black walnuts have a high concentration of oils and possess a sweet buttery taste. If you have black walnuts, acquire some maple syrup, rock salt, ice, cream, sugar and a churn, and whip up some homemade maple walnut ice cream.

The American hazelnut (Corylus americana), also called the American filbert, is a low-growing woody shrub, which may reach an overall height of around 10 feet. If you decide to plant one, it will thrive in moist, humus-rich soil with good drainage. This tree is not picky about light requirements and does well in shady areas, partial sunlight or on open ground. A prolific bearer, it may produce a small nut crop the first year and bear heavily on a 2- to 3-year cycle. Shelled filberts (hazelnuts) have a crunchy texture and a delightful flavor.

The shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is another nut-producing hardwood native not only to Rhode Island but also to the entire eastern half of the U.S. This member of the walnut family can reach an ultimate height of more than 100 feet. Shagbark hickory is easily identified by the long curls of bark, which naturally peel away from the trunk. Like black walnuts, hickory nuts form inside a yellowish-green husk that falls and bursts open when ripe. Hickory nuts have a wonderful flavor, but if you like them, move fast, before the squirrels get there first.

Despite the blight of 1904 that decimated its numbers, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Native Plant Database, American chestnut (Castanea dentata) can still be found growing in Rhode Island and other parts of the eastern U.S. The nuts of this member of the beech family were once raised as a commercial crop, so delicious was their flavor. Development of hybrids and blight-resistant strains continues, with the hope of rebuilding this valuable and uniquely American species.

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