Posted on: 01 March, 2005
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
The black walnut tree manufactures a substance that is anatural insecticide according to experts at the Texas StateUniversity in Austin. American black walnut tress contain a tannic acid chemistscall juglone. The reddish yellow substance leaches fromleaves, and some believe exudes from roots, or transfersfrom branches and foliage to the roots. Tree physiologistsagree that roots of other plants that come in contact withthose black walnut tree roots die--even other black walnutseedlings.Juglone is sometimes washed out of the still green walnutsduring late summer or even autumn rains. The growth ofplants 60 to 80 feet away are inhibited by the juglone. Thesubstance affects plants of various families. Studies havefound that tomatoes, alfalfa, potatoes, apples,blackberries, rhododendron, mountain laurel and pine treesare all affected.According to a professor and extension forester at IowaState University, juglone is known to repel various gardeninsects. Just by placing branches of the tree around thehouse and under furniture dog and cat owners are amazed tofind that their pets have fewer fleas.For more information on natural flea control:http://www.apluswriting.net/onlynaturalpetstore/fleacontrol.htmFor more information on natural garden products:http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/gardensalive.htm You have permission to publishthis article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if itremains unchanged and you include the copyright and authorinformation (Resource Box) at the end. You may not usethis article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam). Article Tags: Black Walnut Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com