Juglans Mollis

Description

Juglans Mollis, commonly known as the Southern California Walnut, is a deciduous tree native to Southern California and northern Baja California. It belongs to the Juglandaceae family and is a valuable source of timber and nuts. The tree can reach a height of 30 to 60 feet and has a spread of up to 50 feet. Juglans Mollis has a deep root system and can live for over 150 years.

Taxonomic Information

Appearance

Juglans Mollis has a broad, spreading crown, with a trunk diameter of up to 3 feet. The bark is gray and smooth when young, but becomes rough and fissured with age. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 11 to 23 leaflets that are 2 to 4 inches long. The tree produces male and female flowers on separate branches, with the male flowers in drooping catkins and the female flowers in small clusters. The fruit is a round, greenish-brown nut that is 1 to 2 inches in diameter and enclosed in a hard, thick husk.

Care Guide

Juglans Mollis is a fairly low-maintenance tree that requires regular watering, fertilization, and pruning. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11.

• Water: Water the tree deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in the winter.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer.
• Soil: Plant the tree in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
• Sunlight: Juglans Mollis prefers full sun exposure.
• Hardiness Zones: Juglans Mollis is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11.

Common Pests & Diseases

Juglans Mollis is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:

• Walnut blight: a bacterial disease that causes dark spots on the leaves and fruit.
• Thousand cankers disease: a fungal disease that causes small cankers on the bark, leading to branch dieback and eventually tree death.
• Walnut husk fly: a pest that lays its eggs in the developing nut, causing the nut to rot.
• Walnut aphid: a pest that sucks the sap from the leaves, causing them to curl and turn yellow.

Habitat

Juglans Mollis is found in riparian habitats, canyons, and foothills below elevations of 4,500 feet. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. The tree is native to Southern California and northern Baja California, but is also cultivated in other parts of the world for its timber and nuts.

Question and Answer

Q: Is Juglans Mollis a good shade tree?

A: Yes, Juglans Mollis is a good shade tree with a broad, spreading crown.

Q: Does Juglans Mollis have any medicinal properties?

A: Yes, the bark and leaves of Juglans Mollis have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions, diarrhea, and inflammation.

Q: Can Juglans Mollis grow in containers?

A: It is not recommended to grow Juglans Mollis in containers, as the tree has a deep root system and requires a lot of space to grow.

Q: How long does Juglans Mollis live?

A: Juglans Mollis can live for over 150 years.

Related Plants

• Juglans californica
• Juglans hindsii
• Juglans nigra
• Juglans regia
• Juglans cinerea

References

• Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Stipes Publishing, 1998.
• Hickman, James C. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, 2012.
• National Gardening Association. “Southern California Black Walnut.” Gardening Guides.
• University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources. “Walnut: UC Guide to Healthy Lawns.”