Tag: Nut harvesting

The American black walnut is the only wild tree nut harvested in the United States, with the majority of black walnuts coming from wild trees rather than orchards. Yes, you can eat black walnut nuts, but processing them is a messy, labor-intensive process due to their extremely hard shell and intensely staining husk. Getting to the prized, rich nutmeat requires significant effort, but it's a worthwhile endeavor for many foragers and home cooks.

Hickory nuts are one of the most calorie-dense wild foods, with a single nut delivering a significant energy boost. While their rich, buttery flavor is similar to pecans, their formidable shells can be a challenge. This guide provides a step-by-step process for preparing hickory nuts, from forest floor to finished meal.

According to harvesters, a 5-gallon bucket filled with freshly picked black walnuts still in their green hulls typically weighs between 24 and 28 pounds. The final weight of usable nuts is significantly less, as the heavy outer hulls account for most of the mass when determining how much does a 5 gallon bucket of black walnuts weigh.

Unlike the thin-shelled English walnuts commonly found in stores, black walnuts possess an extremely tough husk and shell, making it impossible to eat them straight from the tree. Proper harvesting, husking, and curing are essential steps to unlock this uniquely flavorful wild nut.