Nut trees in Sweden

We are starting up our new nut tree nursery here in South-West Sweden and the two most common questions are:

• Can I really grow chestnut and walnut trees here?

• When can I buy one?

... since we obviously answer the first one affirmative.

The chestnut and walnut trees are doing great in protected parks in the heat-islands that towns offer.

Nut trees in towns

Chestnut tree in Trollhättan, Sweden

Walnut tree in the Chalmers Park, Göteborg, Sweden

Chestnut tree in the Botanical Garden in Göteborg

Walnut tree and a young chestnut tree in front, in the city park of Laholm, Sweden

Nut trees in Agroforestry systems

There are few examples of agroforestry systems (farms that incorporate trees among crops) in Sweden so far. I have visited a couple of "Forest Gardens" (superdiverse mixed gardens with many different trees, bushes, vines, herbs and roots), but only two "Alley-Cropping" farms.

Here are some photos from the beautiful agroforestry farm "Rydeholm" in the very south of Sweden:

A whole group of nut growing enthousiasts visited the Rydeholm farm.

Anders Lindén, agroforestry farmer at Rydeholm farm, shared his learnings and observations. Protection is very important the first years, so that the trees can get well established!

Where there is more protection from wind, voles and deer, the trees grow much better.

Anders was interviewed by Maja Lindström, the film maker at ParadigmShiftFilm.com View the interview with Anders here:

The Nutgrowers' Handbook by Philipp Weiss

Of course I want to plug the latest book by Philipp - the Swedish Nutgrowers' Handbook.

You can buy your own copy here

Philipp grows all these nuts at his place, north of Stockholm!