How to prune black walnut 'sparks 147'

Late winter while dormant, before buds swell. Select four to six scaffold branches with wide-angled crotches in the first few years. Thin competing leaders back to the strongest. On mature bearing trees, remove a portion of crowded interior laterals each winter to let light reach fruiting wood. All cuts to the branch collar only.

Annually during establishment; light thinning every one to two years on mature trees. 'Sparks 147' black walnut is managed the same way as other Juglans nigra cultivars. Prune in late winter to shape the scaffold and remove dead or crossing wood. This cultivar is selected for precocious bearing, so prioritise keeping the canopy open to light rather than pushing height. Remove suckers promptly.

Select four to six scaffold branches with wide-angled crotches in the first few years. Thin competing leaders back to the strongest. On mature bearing trees, remove a portion of crowded interior laterals each winter to let light reach fruiting wood. All cuts to the branch collar only.