“My walnut tree isn't blooming. What could be the reason for that?” Entries like this can be read again and again in forums about walnut trees. In our guide we describe possible causes of the lack of (as well as one-sided) walnut tree blossoms in detail. An encouragement to start: In most cases there is something completely harmless and normal behind it.
Why isn't my walnut tree blooming?
A walnut tree may not bloom because it is too young or has suffered frost damage. The first flowers appear on seedlings at the earliest after 10 years, and on cultivated varieties after 4-6 years. Frosts can affect the sprouting or even survival of the tree.
Potential causes of lack of flowering
There are two main reasons for the lack of flowering:
- the tree is still too young (harmless)
- the tree is frozen (seriously)
Walnut tree is still too young
If you haven't taken a closer look at walnut trees, you're probably surprised that there are no flowers to be seen for several years. In principle, however, there is no reason to worry because: The first flowering usually occurs at the earliest at the age of ten, and more likely even at the age of 15 to 20.
Important: This information refers to seedlings. For cultivated varieties, the first flowering usually occurs after four to six years.
Incidentally, the first flowering also goes hand in hand with the first harvest, as the fruits develop from the flowers.
Walnut tree is frozen
The second possible reason why a walnut tree no longer blooms is frosts, especially late frosts. Check to see if your tree may have frozen. This can be the reason why the tree doesn't sprout - if you're lucky, it'll only be for one year; However, if you are unlucky, your walnut plant will be so damaged by frost that it will no longer live.
Potential causes of one-sided flowering
It can happen that young walnut trees produce only male or only female flowers. This should not confuse or unsettle you.
With increasing age, the one-sidedness usually disappears, so that the male and female flowers appear together and appropriately distributed.
Note: Without weather-related influences, the female flowers always appear approximately four weeks after the male flowers.
Weather-related influences are, in particular, a long, hard winter or a spring that comes too late. Under such circumstances, the male and female flowers open more or less at the same time.
