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The Rural Voice, 2000-08, Page 56Andrew Grindlay What grows under black Ask three gardeners what plants will grow under black walnut trees and you will get three answers. There is a great deal of confusion about the toxicity of juglone — a chemical in black walnut trees — but one thing the experts agree on is that not all plants will survive when exposed to it. Many universities have done research into the toxicity of juglone and have published their results. A scan of their publications shows that juglone is found in greatest concentration in black walnuts trees, with lower concentrations in English walnuts, butternuts, hickories and pecans. It is in the leaves, the nuts, the nut husks and the bark, but mainly in the roots. Plant scientists shy away from making conclusive statements about what.will and will not grow under black walnut trees, preferring instead to use words such as, "Plants that appear to be resistant to juglone include ...." The reason for the indefiniteness is that few plants have been experimentally tested for sensitivity to juglone. Most published results are based on observations of what does and does not appear to grow, rather than on controlled studies. The lists, therefore, should be used for guidance but not regarded as the last word. There is disagreement too. Some researchers say that the roots of the walnut tree must actually be in contact with the roots of another plant to kill it. Others say that rain water dripping from the walnut's branches will finish off any plants that are susceptible to juglone. Some say that poorly drained soils walnuts will allow the juglone to flow from a walnut's roots to those of another plant, whereas others say that that does not happen. For about four decades the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has been recommending the planting of black walnut trees in a pattern such that each tree is surrounded by four white pines. The pines' role is to make the walnuts grow straight and to shade their lower limbs, producing a self -pruning effect. In time, the walnuts are supposed to kill the pines, leaving, eventually, a stand of black walnut trees with the correct spacing. But a 1984 bulletin distributed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, said, ••... research in white pine and walnut plantings in Southern Ontario indicated that black walnuts suppressed or killed white pines only in those areas which were poorly drained. Under dry soil conditions, the white pines often suppressed the walnut." In my own plantation, in 1- 1- 0 0 CO V) 1— z Lu CCw 0 a CC w —J O w J U ut w w CC N z u- -1 U f/) 1— CCQ U t� w Lit LL HAY FEEDERS - WATER TROUGHS - LOADING CHUTES - GATES - BEARINGS - V -BELTS PARTS TO FIT VERSATILE 400 AND 4400 Plate for swaybar bearing mount. SWA WP01704 16.15 Plate and shaft for swaybar mounting. SWA WP07109 24.55 Spacer, swaybar shaft, 3/4" width. SWA WP07106 4 50 Swaybar. SWA WP78659 331.38 Shaft for canvas and reel drive. SWA WP20790 31.50 Outer roller assembly (includes tube, shaft, & bearings). SWA WP18460 97.14 Inner roller assembly for center delivery (includes tube & shaft). SWA W P14326 143.92 Reel end shield. SWA WP14212 900 Reel arm. SWA WP26689 13.42 Shaft, variable drive (18'- 20') SWA WP22388 28.43 Main wheel axle. SWA WP23775 317.28 Housing, bearing roller. SWA WP14310 9 11 Axle - replaces V08687 SWAP WP08687 77.35 Waterpump for 200 engine. SWA 251-200-1 68.65 Partial Listing Only J & B Benedictus R.R. 1 Dundalk Phone 519-923-2728 Fax 519-923-5319 CUTTING PARTS - RAKE & PICKUP TEETH - SWATHER CANVAS - HYDRAULIC HOSES To To f1 m m X m v 0 Tom n• A x m rn m r A 1 0 m z A z cn 1 m rAxt 0 m 52 THE RURAL VOICE MARQUARDT FARM DRAINAGE LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1968) SPECIALIZING IN: * Farm Drainage * Municipal Drainage * Excavator Work * Dozer Work * Erosion Control * Backhoe Work with Laser WE OFFER: • Personal evaluation of your project • Detailed plans and design work • State-of-the-art equipment • FREE ESTIMATES • Qualified and experienced personnel • Guaranteed workmanship & customer service For that personal touch, pude in workmanship, experience and FREE ESTIMATES call MARQUARDT FARM DRAINAGE LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1968) R.R. *3 STEVE CRONSBERRY Palmerston, Ontario We install OFFICE 343-3233 (owner) p drainage tubing" c HOME 338-2373