Wood chips are widely accepted to be a popular method for adding nutrients and texture to garden beds and potted plants. But there has been a debate about whether or not walnut wood chips are bad for plants. So, what’s the verdict? Are walnut wood chips bad for plants?
The short answer is walnut wood chips can be bad for plants if they are not used correctly. Walnut wood chips contain juglone, which is a naturally-occurring chemical that can be harmful to some plants. However, juglone is only harmful to plants when its concentration is high enough.
Walnut Wood Chips and Your Garden – What is Juglone?
Juglone is a natural herbicide produced by black walnut trees (Juglans nigra). This chemical helps to protect the tree from insects and diseases. Juglone is found in all parts of the black walnut tree, including the leaves, twigs, nuts, and roots.
Black walnut trees are not the only trees that produce juglone; other species in the genus Juglans, such as butternut trees or white walnut (Juglans cinerea), also contain this chemical.
The good news is that juglone does not remain active for very long in the soil, so it is generally safe to use walnut wood chips in your garden as long as they are aged (at least six months old) and you avoid planting sensitive plants near the wood chip bed.
There are some general guidelines for using walnut wood chips in your garden. First, you should avoid planting sensitive plants like tomatoes and potatoes near a walnut wood chip bed. Instead, choose less-sensitive plants such as daffodils, peonies, and roses.
If you’re using walnut wood chips in your potted plants, you should also take care to avoid planting sensitive species. In this case, it may be best to stick with non-edible plants like daisies and petunias.
In general, if you’re using walnut wood chips correctly in your garden or potted plants, they can be a great way to promote healthy plant growth and improve the soil quality in your garden.
So, are walnut wood chips bad for plants? The answer is that it depends on how you use them. With some careful planning and consideration, you can use these versatile wood chips to enhance your garden without harming your plants.
Can walnut wood be used as mulch?
Walnut has often been used as mulch for walks and driveways because it prevents unwanted plant growth. However, some people believe that using walnut wood as mulch can be bad for plants in the surrounding garden or potted plants.
There is some truth to this claim, as walnut wood contains a chemical called juglone that can harm certain plants. However, this effect is generally only an issue if the concentration of juglone is very high.
To use walnut wood safely as a mulch, it’s important to properly age the wood chips before adding them to your garden or potted plants. So you should avoid planting sensitive species such as tomatoes and potatoes near beds of walnut wood chips. Instead, opt for less-sensitive plants like daffodils, peonies, and roses.
Is black walnut sawdust toxic?
The roots of the tree contain the highest concentration of juglone, but even small amounts present in the wood can cause throat and lung irritation. This is especially the case if the wood is made into sawdust, which is highly concentrated.
If you are using a high concentration of black walnut sawdust as mulch or in other applications near plants that are sensitive to this chemical, it’s important to take precautions and handle the sawdust carefully.
To reduce the risk of juglone toxicity, you should always wear a mask and gloves when handling black walnut sawdust. Also avoid handling black walnut sawdust around pets and young children, who may be more sensitive to the effects of this chemical.
If you’re concerned about potential toxicity from black walnut sawdust, there are several steps you can take to mitigate the risk. For example, you can use sawdust in other applications like composting or as fuel for a wood-burning stove.
Overall, black walnut sawdust is not necessarily toxic, but it’s important to be mindful of its potential risks when using this material in your garden or around sensitive plants.
