As Autumn Finally Arrives, The Nuts Drop Like Little Gifts, And The Tree Feels Properly Useful As Well As Beautiful.

A Majestic Shade Tree With Real Presence

Walnut is one of those trees that instantly makes a garden feel more established. The leaves are large and elegant, made up of many leaflets that give the canopy a soft, feathered look, even though the tree itself is strong and substantial. In a bigger UK garden, a walnut becomes a natural centrepiece — a tree you notice from the house, and one you instinctively walk towards on hot days. It’s not a small tree, but if you have the space, the sense of calm and shelter it brings is hard to beat.

  • A Majestic Shade Tree With Real Presence
  • Edible Nuts With A True Orchard Feel
  • Beautiful Foliage And A Strong Seasonal Rhythm

Walnut Trees at a Glance:

Common name: Walnut tree.

Latin name: Juglans regia.

Size in UK gardens: A large tree over time; commonly 10–20m+ in the long run, depending on conditions and how much space it’s given.

Best position: Full sun, in an open position with plenty of room away from buildings and boundaries.

Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil; dislikes waterlogging and very shallow, poor ground.

Main interest: Broad canopy and handsome foliage, plus edible walnuts in autumn.

Fragrance: Foliage can smell pleasantly resinous when crushed; flowers are not grown for scent.

Hardiness: Hardy in most of the UK once established; young trees appreciate good establishment care.

Care level: Moderate – straightforward in the right place, but needs space and sensible siting.
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Grown Locally By Us.

Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.

Walnut Tree Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container-grown trees, walnuts can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged; spring and autumn are usually easiest.

Watering: Water regularly through the first 1–2 summers, especially in dry spells; deep watering helps establish strong roots.

Feeding: A yearly mulch of compost or well-rotted manure is often enough; on poorer soils, a light spring feed can support young trees.

Pruning: Keep pruning light — remove damaged or crossing branches and shape gently while young; avoid heavy cutting.

Winter: Hardy once established; young trees benefit from mulch and secure staking in windy sites.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Walnut trees are best for larger gardens, because they develop a broad canopy and become substantial over time. If you have space — a big lawn, a wide boundary, or a more rural plot — they’re wonderful, bringing shade, structure and a real orchard feel. In smaller gardens they can quickly feel overwhelming, not just for size but for the way their canopy changes light levels. The trick is to think long-term: plant walnut where it can spread naturally without being constantly cut back, and you’ll get a calm, majestic tree that earns its place.

Walnuts are a long game, but a satisfying one. Young trees usually focus on building a strong root system and framework first, and nut production can take several years to become reliable. Cropping depends on warmth, sun, and a decent summer — in sunnier parts of the UK, and especially in sheltered, warm gardens, you tend to see better results. Even then, some years will be heavier than others. If you plant walnut mainly for its beauty and shade, any nuts that arrive later feel like a bonus; if nuts are the main goal, patience is part of the bargain.

Choose full sun and plenty of space, with deep, well-drained soil. A position on the edge of a large lawn, or along a boundary where it won’t shade everything else, is ideal. In Cambridgeshire and across East Anglia, the summer warmth can suit walnuts well, but dry winds mean young trees appreciate regular watering while they establish. Avoid planting close to houses, patios, drains and neighbouring boundaries — walnut is a proper canopy tree in time, and it’s happiest when it can grow without constant restriction.

Not much, provided they’re planted well. The main care is in the first couple of years: watering in dry spells, mulching to feed the soil, and staking so the tree doesn’t rock in wind. Pruning is usually light and structural — removing damaged or crossing branches and shaping a good framework while it’s young. Walnuts don’t enjoy heavy pruning, and it’s often better to make small adjustments early than big cuts later. Once established, a walnut is generally a sturdy, self-sufficient tree that simply gets on with the job of growing.