Walnut tree...

HoosierTort · Oct 9, 2019

Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has had experience with enclosures near or under walnut trees? I feel like a falling walnut to the head would be fatal...? Hermann’s and Box Turtles is the species.
Just curious on everyone’s thoughts!
Thanks!

Maro2Bear · Oct 9, 2019

I agree, while not maybe fatal, a big old green Black Walnut falling straight to the ground co7ld really whack a tort if it hit it straight on the head!

HoosierTort · Oct 9, 2019

It’s my neighbors and we already had it cut back to the property line once this year. They fall with the wind and land on our roof sending them all over our yard(2 story w/walkout basement so they’re still high...) This year seems to be worse than previous.

TammyJ · Oct 11, 2019

Well, if your tortoises are really small and you have them outdoors, maybe they should have a covered (mesh) enclosure anyway so predators and walnuts cannot get to them? And how big are walnuts? Can the tortoises swallow them? This is interesting to me as I don't live where there are any walnut trees.

HoosierTort · Oct 11, 2019

TammyJ said:
Well, if your tortoises are really small and you have them outdoors, maybe they should have a covered (mesh) enclosure anyway so predators and walnuts cannot get to them? And how big are walnuts? Can the tortoises swallow them? This is interesting to me as I don't live where there are any walnut trees.

They are about the size of a small apple or plum. Put one next to a female three toed for reference.

Relic · Oct 11, 2019

FWIW: I've got a mature pecan tree in the middle of my pen (pen is 32 years old, pecan is 30) and it drops tons of pecans (and the occasional limb)- especially when the squirrels are working the tree like they are now - and I've never experienced any problems with turtle/tortoise injuries. But the fully-husked pecans are a bit smaller than walnuts and seem less lethal. Yet, it still seems statistically probable that eventually good luck will turn to bad luck...

HoosierTort · Oct 11, 2019

Relic said:
FWIW: I've got a mature pecan tree in the middle of my pen (pen is 32 years old, pecan is 30) and it drops tons of pecans (and the occasional limb)- especially when the squirrels are working the tree like they are now - and I've never experienced any problems with turtle/tortoise injuries. But the fully-husked pecans are a bit smaller than walnuts and seem less lethal. Yet, it still seems statistically probable that eventually good luck will turn to bad luck...

Good to know! I’ll keep my eye on it but I’m not extremely worried or anything.

2turtletom · Oct 12, 2019

HoosierTort said:
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has had experience with enclosures near or under walnut trees? I feel like a falling walnut to the head would be fatal...? Hermann’s and Box Turtles is the species.
Just curious on everyone’s thoughts!
Thanks!

I'd be much more worried about the toxicity of the black walnut tree, in general, compared to the physical risk of a walnut striking a turtle. Black walnuts are notoriously toxic, and are a definite "do not feed". I'd be very concerned about any tortoise ingesting walnut leaves, stems, twigs, husks, etc. https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=653&c=4#.XaJliOhKhaQ

HoosierTort · Oct 12, 2019

2turtletom said:
I'd be much more worried about the toxicity of the black walnut tree, in general, compared to the physical risk of a walnut striking a turtle. Black walnuts are notoriously toxic, and are a definite "do not feed". I'd be very concerned about any tortoise ingesting walnut leaves, stems, twigs, husks, etc. https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=653&c=4#.XaJliOhKhaQ

Thanks for sharing! The leaves generally blow to the opposite end of the property, and several enclosures are covered already, but looks like I might be doing the rest!?!

2turtletom · Oct 12, 2019

HoosierTort said:
Thanks for sharing! The leaves generally blow to the opposite end of the property, and several enclosures are covered already, but looks like I might be doing the rest!?!

I'd get any black walnut leaves/parts/fruits out of my enclosures as long as the tortoises are in them.

Shorty · Oct 13, 2019

Ok a little bit of humor... I was checking out your posts looking to see the suggestions (yes kinda being nosey).... But here is a "suggested add" that my phone randomly selected at the bottom of all the replies.. I couldn't help but laugh... Hope it offers you a chuckle too

Ray--Opo · Oct 13, 2019

If you ever decide to keep some. Put them on a dirt driveway and run them over with your car. That will smash the husk. But when you remove the husk wear gloves. The first time I did it I didn't wear gloves. It took 2 weeks for the dark brown stain to be removed from my hands.
But with the danger of your tort getting hit and the toxicity could you move the enclosures to a safer area?

TammyJ · Oct 14, 2019

Wow. Looks like the walnuts ain't messing around, no man!
Last thing I would want is for the tree to be cut down, so any alternative that works, go for it.
Let us know what you decide to do!

HoosierTort · Oct 14, 2019

Shorty said:
Ok a little bit of humor... I was checking out your posts looking to see the suggestions (yes kinda being nosey).... But here is a "suggested add" that my phone randomly selected at the bottom of all the replies.. I couldn't help but laugh... Hope it offers you a chuckle too

Lol, I needed that! This whole things has me a bit nervous! I’d love to just cut them all down but after a detailed look yesterday, I have 7 within 50 meters and 3 of those are within 20 or less... none are mine to cut down or they would be...

Ray--Opo · Oct 14, 2019

HoosierTort said:
Lol, I needed that! This whole things has me a bit nervous! I’d love to just cut them all down but after a detailed look yesterday, I have 7 within 50 meters and 3 of those are within 20 or less... none are mine to cut down or they would be...

If the trees have at least 8' of straight trunk and are mature .Tell your neighbor that the black walnut wood is worth a lot of money. Especially if they can use it for veneer wood.
Maybe he will want to make some money.

Walnut tree...

HoosierTort

Active Member

Maro2Bear

Well-Known Member

HoosierTort

Active Member

TammyJ

Well-Known Member

HoosierTort

Active Member

Attachments

Relic

Well-Known Member

HoosierTort

Active Member

2turtletom

Well-Known Member

HoosierTort

Active Member

2turtletom

Well-Known Member

Shorty

Member

Attachments

Ray--Opo

Well-Known Member

TammyJ

Well-Known Member

HoosierTort

Active Member

Ray--Opo

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

New Posts