English Walnut 'Chandler'

Juglans regia ‘Chandler’ is a modern cultivar of the English walnut, selected for its high-quality nuts and relatively reliable performance. It forms a medium to large deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown and large pinnate leaves composed of smooth, oblong leaflets, giving it a handsome, architectural presence in the landscape. These emerge late in Spring, helping to avoid damage from late frosts. The flowers appear with the foliage; long, pendulous male catkins shed pollen onto the much smaller female flowers, which are wind-pollinated. Rounded green fruits develop through Summer, enclosing thin-shelled walnuts of excellent flavour. Whilst ‘Chandler’ is regarded as one of the more dependable nut-producing walnuts, consistent harvests can still be variable in the Irish climate, particularly in cooler or less sheltered sites. As with all walnuts, it casts a dense shade and produces juglone, which can inhibit the growth of some nearby plants.

Site: Sheltered or moderately exposed
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Summer and autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: up to 60' (18m) if left unpruned
Spread: 50’ (15m) if left unpruned
Pollination: Self-fertile, improved yields with another walnut nearby
Uses: Produces heavy crops of high-quality walnuts, suitable for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving; also valued as a landscape and orchard tree

Image by Frank Schulenburg cropped, and licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0