BIO Walnut tree (Juglans regia) LARA

English Walnut (Juglans regia) 'Lara'

Modern French elite: a compact variety featuring record productivity and a delicate creamy flavor without bitterness.

The 'Lara' variety represents the pinnacle of modern European walnut cultivation. This French gem has won over growers primarily due to its exceptional kernel quality and compact growth habit. 'Lara' is synonymous with a gourmet experience – its kernels are exceptionally mild, sweetish, and thanks to low tannin content in the skin, they lack any bitterness. It is an ideal candidate not only for intensive orchards but also for modern home gardens where space is at a premium.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Compact Growth: Slower growth and a neat crown make it perfect for smaller gardens.
• Record Recovery: Light, meaty kernels account for over 50% of the total nut weight.
• Gourmet Quality: Excellent creamy flavor without the typical walnut bitterness.
• Extremely Early Bearing: Thanks to lateral fruiting, it often yields by the 3rd year.
• High Productivity: Bears heavily on both terminal and side buds.
• Good disease resistance and reliable frost hardiness.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: France. A modern selection from the American 'Payne' variety, adapted to European conditions.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor and Habit: Medium to weak vigor. Forms a neat, naturally spherical crown. Highly suitable for high-density plantings.
• Flowering and Pollination: Buds mid-late, avoiding major spring frosts. The variety is partially self-fertile. For 100% yield potential, we recommend pollinators such as 'Fernette', 'Fernor', or 'Chandler'.
• Bearing Type: Lateral bearer – produces heavy crops even on side shoots.

Fruit

• Size and Shape: Large, robust nuts with an almost perfectly spherical shape.
• Shell and Kernel: The shell is medium-thin, clean, and very well-sealed, protecting the kernel from moisture. The kernel is light and meaty (6 – 8 g) and shells very easily.
• Flavor: Exceptionally mild and sweetish. It does not leave a bitter aftertaste, ranking it among the best tasting varieties for fresh consumption.

Resistance and Requirements

• Diseases: Features good resistance to anthracnose and lower susceptibility to bacterial blight due to its budding time.
• Frost: Very good wood hardiness, fully suitable for temperate climates.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Mid-late variety. Nuts ripen at the turn of September and October.
• Yield: Exceptionally high. Due to its early onset, it begins providing significant crops as early as 3 to 4 years after planting.