VERY RARE - This is a selection of the Praeparturiens (Fertile) walnut introduced by Felix in 1871. Mr. Poe of Scotts Valley in Lake County made this variety regionally famous. It was considered the premier in-the-shell walnut of its day according to walnut guru Alex Suchan. Here’s what Felix had to say about it:

“The points of superiority (to other walnut varieties) are many: First—It bears earlier than any other kind, bearing sometimes when three years old; hence its name Praeparturiens—fertile or precocious. Second—It blossoms late, three weeks later than other varieties thus less liable to be killed by late frosts, and rendering its crop secure every year. Third—Its pistillate blossoms are fully out at the time its staminate blossoms or “catkins” are in full bloom, which is another guarantee for a regular crop every year."

The Pacific Rural Press (the ag mag of the day) had this to say in 1879: “The shell is thin, and the kernel full-fleshed and exceedingly well-flavored. The skin which surrounds the kernel is also notably thin; and, as this skin contains the bitter principle, its thinness is very desirable. It is owing to the thinness of inner skin that the kernel owes its almost unalloyed sweetness. The nut is certainly one of great promise.”

We owe the finding of this variety to our friend Alex Suchan of Suchan Nursery in Upper Lake, Lake County, CA. Alex, 86, is the dean of walnut growers and propagators in California. He is a wealth of knowledge, propagating walnuts since he was 14. His nursery now produces more than 200,000 modern walnut trees each year, yet Alex has an appreciation for the heirlooms and still grows a dry farmed orchard of the Poe.