Common Walnut Esterhazy II - Juglans regia

Juglans regia Esterhazy II is a hardy, vigorous, productive self-fertile variety of walnut tree native to Hungary, with a quick fruiting period of 3 to 5 years. It produces large oval, almost round nuts with a slight point. The thin-skinned kernels are of excellent taste quality with a fine and sweet texture, and a hazelnut aroma. Harvesting takes place from late September to early October, and the nuts can be eaten raw, roasted, dried or transformed into oil. Dried walnuts can be stored for 1 to 2 years. Walnuts are nutritious, rich in fibre, omega and fatty acids, a super nut with exceptional nutritional qualities. This tree is best suited for large spaces.

Juglans regia, commonly known as the Common Walnut, Royal Walnut or Calottier, is a tree belonging to the Juglandaceae family. It is native to a vast region ranging from southeastern Europe to China. The Esterhazy II variety is a selection that comes from Hungary.

The Esterhazy II walnut tree forms a large tree with a sturdy structure that can reach a height of 6 to 8 metres (20 to 26 feet), with a diameter of 5 to 7 metres (16 to 23 feet). Its spreading habit is well suited for tall forms (on a stem). Its deciduous foliage is composed of large, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) long, alternate leaves, with 5 to 9 lanceolate leaflets that turn yellow in autumn. Walnut leaves emit an aromatic odour when crushed, which can repel midges and mosquitoes. Flowering occurs in April-May, which generally protects it from frost. The male flowers appear in the form of yellowish-green catkins measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, and the female flowers are rather insignificant. It is a hardy tree that can withstand temperatures of around -25°C, but its growth is sensitive to sudden cold winters. This variety is self-fertile, but production can be improved by the presence of another walnut tree nearby for cross-pollination, increasing the number of fruits.

Juglans regia Esterhazy II is a high-yielding, quick-fruiting variety, with abundant and regular fruiting. From late September to early October, the brou (green fleshy envelope of the nut) bursts on the tree and drops the nuts on the ground. This variety produces large, oval, almost round nuts with a slight point. The thin-skinned kernels are of excellent taste quality with a fine and sweet texture and hazelnut aromas. The nuts can be eaten fresh right after picking, simply for pleasure or indulgence. When dried, they can be used in many recipes: desserts, pastries, salads, cheeses, etc. Roasting can bring out their sweet flavour and intense aromas while minimizing the bitterness of the fruit. They are also used for walnut oil. Green walnuts can also be harvested in June for making walnut wine.

Walnuts are nutritious, rich in magnesium, calcium, vitamins B and E, iron, minerals and trace elements. They are rich in fibre, antioxidants, Omega-3 and fatty acids, and contribute to a balanced diet. Walnuts can be stored for 1 to 2 years by drying them on racks, in a well-ventilated and dry space, at a temperature of 7 to 10°C.

In the nut category, the Common Walnut Esterhazy II forms a large, hardy and vigorous tree, quite resistant to diseases. It is easy to grow, it likes moist, deep and rich soils, but it dislikes stagnant humidity. No planting is possible under its canopy as few plants can tolerate its competition due to the production of juglone, an aromatic compound toxic to most plants.