The walnut tree belongs to the family of Juglandeae and its size is very large and its height ranges from 50 to 75 feet. Walnut trees are favorably grown in the areas falling between the altitudes of 5000 feet to 8000 feet. Kashmir enjoys its status as the major contributor of total walnut production in the country. The delicate taste, flavor and aroma are indeed unique and delicious. This is why this fruit fetches high demand within the country as well as from rest of the world. The long gestation period of 10-15 years has been hindering the growth of Walnut producers in country; however, the government has taken few steps and measures to encourage the farmers to adopt different cultivation methods to boost the walnut production in Kashmir Valley.

In Kashmir, walnut trees are abundantly grown in Kupwara and Shopian region. Previously Shopian was the largest walnut growing region in Kashmir and but now Kupwara has overtaken Shopian and acclaimed as the largest Walnut producing area. Walnut in the form of fruit and wood are highly in demand and Kashmir is the prime exporter of walnuts in India

Types of Walnuts

Walnut is a seed inside a green husk shell of tree from the class of Juglans. Walnuts generally take a lot of time while they have fully matured and thus have a lesser production competition than other seed. However, Walnut is a very beneficial seed being a great source of nutrients, proteins, vitamins, etc.

Walnut seeds are majorly divided into two categories:

The Persian Walnut

The Persion Walnut is commonly known as 'The English Walnut' or 'Juglans Regia'. The Persian Walnut derives its name from the foremost area of its produce, Persia. English merchants introduced this walnut across the globe during 16-17th century. It has a large seed, thinner outer shell thus can be broken easily, and a milder and sweeter taste. It can be found commonly in every market. The largest forests of The Persian Walnut are found in Kyrgyzstan. These forests are native to Balkan, Himalayas and China.

The Black Walnut is a species of a flowering tree, native to North America; most commonly South Ontario. The whole fruit including the husk is matured till October and has comparatively harder shell and is smaller in size than The English Walnut. This fruit is resistant to winters and thus grows better in the season of June-July and matures by October. The walnut shell of this category is equally useful as the seed is. The seed is used for flavouring and snack purposes and the shell is used for cosmetics, oil well drilling, etc.

Plantation of Walnut

Walnut Plantation Kashmir is known for housing rich, exotic and diverse species of trees of fruits. North Western Himalayan region with its lofty mountains, majestic slope and temperate climate makes it the perfect place for Walnut plantation. The tree of Walnut is nurtured best in cool, frost free climate at an altitudinal area of 900-3500 meters. High temperature in low elevation leads to darkening of kernel at the time of ripening. Walnut plantation requires a uniform distribution of annual rainfall of approx 760mm for high quality crop.

The most suitable soil for high grade walnut production is characterized by well drained, fertile, deep clay-loam with high quantity of lime and humus. A good drainage system is essential for high quality fruit as excessive water accumulation in the tree reduced the quality of the fruit. A walnut tree blossoms its first fruit after 10-15 years of plantation. However, at the age of 20-25 years it matures and yields good production of nuts. In Kashmir valley, Walnut tree grows and gives fruit until the age of 100 years.

Kashmiri WalnutIn Kashmir, Walnuts starts flowering on the onset of spring season in the month of March to April. After flowering, fruit rapidly grows but it takes time to mature. Thus harvesting period also gets delayed and plucking is done from the mid of August to mid of October. Harvesting of Walnut is quite a tough job as the height of the tree is high. This process involves beating of the fruit-bearing branch by long stick. Drying process is done after washing out the nuts in flowing stream or river. Drying is done in the open field under sky up to 5 or 8 days.

Benefit & Uses

Walnut tree has various multifaceted benefits as its nuts and timber woods are highly valuable and have tremendous impact on the lifestyle of human being. Kashmir as an only home to walnut in India, boast of both the types of walnut named as Black walnut and English walnut. Although a walnut tree requires an utmost effort for favorable growth, but still it is worth all the effort and pain as the value of Timbers as well as nuts are huge. Besides facing stiff competition with other premier timber wood, Walnut wood still sustain its importance of being unique and distinctive value. As a dry fruit also, Walnut kernel has many important uses in culinary, medicinal and various other uses.

Walnut belongs to the family of trees known as juglandaceae. The botanical name of English or Persian walnut is Juglans regia and black walnut is Juglans nigra. Nuts of both the tress have rich nutritional values with delectable taste. Color, shape and size of shell and kernel of both the walnut is different from each other. Shell of English walnut is thin and easily breakable whereas shell of Black Walnut is hard, thick and tough to break. However, English walnuts are considered to be tastier and aromatic and thus, this variety of walnut are often used in confectionery purpose.

Kashmiri WalnutAs far as timber of walnut is concerned, there are several types of walnut wood which belong to juglandaceae family. In Kashmir, popular varieties like Black Walnut and English Walnuts are found abundantly. Plantations of these two varieties of walnuts are practiced to yield either nuts or timber. Timber from black walnuts is more prominent and popular as its color is more appealing along with grains. Furnisher made up of this very timber are highly acclaimed and appreciated throughout the country. Trees of black walnuts grow in high elevated areas of Kashmir in India.

Nuts of the both walnuts carry almost same amount of nutritional content. However, Black walnuts have very slightly higher protein content and lower fat content. Both the nuts can be used as substitute to each other. However, black walnut is more popular for confectionery uses because of its pungent flavor. Walnuts have very high omega3 fatty acid contents irrespective of its variety making them very beneficial for helping fight cardiac problems. Kashmir valley is proud of growing both the varieties of walnuts and for serving as the oasis of walnuts for the entire country.