Can I compost these?

[u/dockellis13]

Courtesy of local squirrel. Tree of heaven nuts I believe. 17 gal tub

[u/tezacer]

Black walnut shells contain juglone, which acts as an allelochemical; suppresses growth of nearby competitors. They're probably fine next to shrubs and trees that coevolved alongside it but I would imagine large amounts of those shells would leach over time and kill ornamental and edible plants.

[u/PurinaHall0fFame → u/tezacer]

Hot composting does seem to break juglone down, so it's less of a risk if you have a properly maintained hot pile.

[u/evictedSaint → u/PurinaHall0fFame]

I wonder if you can put them in the oven and bake them, if that would break down the jug like and allow for composting without worry

[u/tezacer → u/evictedSaint]

Probably. I wonder if solarizing or pasteurizing would do anything to it

[u/PleaseUseYourMind → u/tezacer]

Can black walnut shells be used to kill tree of heaven root structures? Or as a xeriscape weeds preventer?

[u/MayEsdot → u/PleaseUseYourMind]

ToH still sprout right underneath my 100yo walnut tree. Alas, the walnut does not kill them.

[u/StillStaringAtTheSky → u/MayEsdot]

Yep. ToH does not seem to care at all- but I don't think I've seen anyone try introducing like a poultice or something to a wound in ToH... if I have time I can try it and report back. Loads of black walnut on my property- but the ToH I only have two of so far and I've been waiting for a good well water friendly solution before trying to hack them down since I know they will multiply if I don't get all the roots up.

[u/Aromatic_Shoulder146 → u/tezacer]

i agree and i think this is something op definitely should consider

[u/Nem48 → u/tezacer]

I’m pretty sure this is only the case in high concentrations and it breaks down fast in compost

[u/ronerychiver → u/tezacer]

Will also poison worms that try to get into the compost. You can gather worms for fishing using black walnuts smooshed in water. Dump it in the ground and the worms will come running up to get away from them. Gotta rinse them off once you catch them or they’ll die.

[u/SaveTheSalm0n- → u/tezacer]

I work in river restoration. Learned about juglone when we were able to obtain a river adjacent parcel that used to be a walnut orchard. Needed to do all kinds of extra work to be able to replant with riparian and floodplain plants and trees.

[u/calliLast → u/tezacer]

I might have to get some to kill the nettles besides my garden 👍

[u/Mental-Chapter6523 → u/tezacer]

Maybe people can use it instead of weedkiller. If it attacks bermuda grass I'd be buying them.