Why Grow Nut Trees In Canada / Turtle Island?

After growing annual vegetables on organic farms for a number of years I was introduced to permaculture and Indigenous food systems and agroecology. The cultural learnings in each of these areas showed me how prominent perennial foods, including nut trees, are in most communities around the world.

I started growing nut trees to plant and to offer to people all across Canada. I became inspired to grow nut trees for a number of reasons. Here are some I like to share with people who are considering growing some nut trees in Canada / Turtle Island!

1) They Fit The Ecosystem:

The places we now live have slow-moving flows of ecological succession and Indigenous peoples have worked with their relations (i.e., plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, etc.) since time immemorial as a part of this succession. They developed and continue to steward old and new food systems based in the ecosystems in which they are a part, including forest gardens. The ecological succession in the part of Nova Scotia / Mi'kma'ki where we live is always moving the landscape towards a temperate rain forest(!). If you clear the land for growing grain or pasture or to regenerate a forest ecosystem, the land will slowly start to grow back into a forest. By planting nut trees, along with native trees, we can design a food system more inline with the ecological flows of this landscape, which has cascading beneficial effects on the ecosystem.

2) Relatively Low Maintenance: Once you plant them and they are established (3+ years), they require less maintenance compared to many annual crops we depend on for food. They require minimal watering, minimal nutrient amendments, and relatively minimal labour.

3) Nutrient-Dense Food:

Nuts not only taste good and are a great addition to practically all types of dishes (especially desserts!), but they are nutrient dense in fats, proteins, and carbohydrates (depending on the nut). Plus, they store really well once dried/cured.

4) Long-Term Food:

When you plant some Hazelnuts, they will provide you with food for decades. Sweet Chestnuts, Walnuts, Hickories--they'll provide food potentially for centuries. Nut trees provide food for humans and non-human animals for generations!

5) Adaptable To Different Land Uses:

Nut trees can grow almost anywhere! The biggest, most proficient Persian Walnut tree I've ever seen was in the downtown area of Kelowna, BC. I've been on farms where Hazelnuts were mixed in with Apple orchards, hedgerows, and living fences to separate pastures. The research station in Guelph, ON, had different nut trees for lumber interplanted with field crops like corn and soy. And then there are orchards of nut trees and forest gardens with towering Chestnut trees throughout North America / Turtle Island.

The next time you see me, ask me why I grow nut trees in Canada / Northern Turtle Island. We can share thoughts and compare how our trees and the nuts they grow are doing.