Question about Black Walnut toxicity.

[AliciaH]

I researched here, and tried on the web, and I see a lot of information about using Black Walnut wood in smokers to get rid of mites.  The reason I started looking, though, is because I would like to plant a tree in my apiary.  The way it keeps other things from growing would be very helpful out there, not to mention the shade benefit (yes, I know it will be years, but hey, I can wait).

But where I'm having trouble finding answers though is....As I read more about toxicity to horses and dogs, I started wondering whether Black Walnut provided anything to the bees, and whether or not I should be concerned about what they may or may not bring back to the hives. 

Any input?

Thanks!
Alicia

[AllenF]

As long as you know it will be years and years.   Grandpa had walnuts.   I know of no problem.

[HomeBru]

The chemical in walnut is juglone. It's toxic to many animals and prevents the germination of many plant seeds. You see warnings about horses and dogs mainly because the shavings could be used for bedding. When the leaves and nuts fall, they prevent other plants from growing for a short period of time. (Juglone breaks down quickly in sunlight and air.)

I've not heard of any issues with bees and since walnuts are wind pollinated, they won't be a source for nectar at least.

J-

[buzzbee]

I have several walnuts in my yard with no problems.It would be interesting to know if any one ever got bees from a hollowed out walnut tree.

[mdaniels]

We have four black walnuts, 3 on one end of the property (near the garden) and one near the other end.  Little did we know when we put in the garden that it would be difficult to grow just about anything near it.  (We made further garden space well beyond its drip line).  In any event, whatever you do, be sure you don't want to plant anything else around the tree.  Grass will survive, but there are so many other things that won't.

I can't say there's been any harmful effect on my hives, tho.

[AliciaH]

Thanks for the input, everyone.  The fact that nothing grows well under a black walnut, including blackberry, is the primary reason I want to plant one in the apiary.  After that comes shade and a tree for swarms to land in.  I do have some dwarf cherries out there (which worked great to catch my swarms!), but from my reading cherries are resistant to black walnut.  The apiary is in my back field now and with all the equipment I'm carrying back and forth, it's hard to get a weed wacker or loppers back there sometimes. 

I read about the juglone being a problem when exposed to air and soil compounds, but nothing was ever said about it being a problem for humans (except for allergies from the pollen blowing in the wind). 

There are two black walnuts in my neighborhood already, and many of you have them, so I guess I can cross that concern of my list?

Thanks, again, for the input!