Neil Thomas

Biomass Nut Production in Black Walnut Neil Thomas

Black walnut has been felled indiscriminately for timber for everything from fine furniture to rifle stocks. But few know that it is really an extraordinary perennial oil-crop (as are most nut trees to varying degrees). The author takes you on a journey into biomass nut production. With the focus on his style of management, he examines the components of volume output and the internal rate of return to investment in a nut-based enterprise. Above all, the author suggests that the reforestation of the landscape with non-select black walnut for biomass nut production has the potential for sustainable multiple income streams for long-term partial rural livelihoods. Operator of a farm with more than 2,000 black walnut trees, the author uses his everyday interaction with his 'forest' to draw out the experiences that shape productivity, and provide ecosystem services in so doing.