Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) is the biggest threat to Walnut populations in Oregon, Washington, and California. It’s largely fatal, and typically kills the tree within 3-5 years of the first observed symptoms. TCD is a fungus transported by the walnut twig beetle. The beetle bores into the tree to lay eggs. At the same time it infects the tree with a bacteria that causes small cankers – these will be visible beneath the bark. As time passes more beetles arrive, and the process is repeated. Eventually the cankers merge and limit the tree’s ability to transport and store nutrients, slowly resulting in the death of the tree.
Cankers on walnut stem. Photo courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.org.
We have found that both Oregon Black Walnut and Claro Walnut are more resistant to Thousand Cankers Disease, so we have focused on replanting these two species to slow and stop its spread. Oregon Black Walnut is a hybrid of Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra) and Claro Walnut (Juglans Hindsii – native to California). It’s been naturally occurring in Oregon since Juglans Nigra appeared here in the 1800’s.
Over the last 3 years, with the support of Able Farms, we have helped replant over 3,000 trees in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. This year, we plan to replant 1 tree for every slab sold – somewhere between 500 and 1,000 trees! You are helping slow and stop the spread of this disease when you purchase a slab from Goby.
Our replanting program will ensure that the pace of the disease does not outpace the repopulation of Walnut in our area – we want to make sure that these trees are here for the next generation. We also want to give back and help sustain an industry that gives so much to all of us.
To bring awareness to Thousand Cankers Disease and our efforts to help replenish Walnut trees in Oregon, we are excited to release a limited run of T-shirts. All proceeds will benefit the trees. Wear one and join us in securing the future of Walnut trees.
Thanks so much for your support!