Tree Conservation Information Service
| Juglans neotropica
Juglandaceae cedro granda, cedro nigro, Ecuador walnut, nogal, nogal silvestre Distribution Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela Habitat A highland species, occurring up to 2000m in a scattered distribution at the periphery of the Andes and in interAndean valleys, often as isolated individuals on agricultural land. Trees are often found along stream banks and field boundaries where they regenerate freely (National Research Council, 1989).
Population Status and Trends Declines in habitat have been considerable and the species continues to be felled for timber and fuelwood. Large specimens are scarce and no commercial plantations are being established in the native range (National Research Council, 1989). Although relatively widespread in Colombia, the populations are considered vulnerable (Calderon, 1997). Role of species in the Ecosystem Threats Habitat loss, charcoal/fuelwood production, local exploitation. Utilisation The wood is used domestically for decorative carpentry and interiors and for making guitars. Internationally the species is traded for use as decorative veneers and cabinet or furniture-making. The Andean walnuts are larger than commercial walnuts but have an unusually thick shell. They are edible, nutritious and marketed locally (National Research Council, 1989; Wickens, 1995). Dye and medicinal extracts are obtained from the bark and leaves. The dye is one of few that is still obtained from a natural plant source. (Sørensen & Schjellerup, 1995). Trade The species presence in the international timber trade is thought to be increasing. Most of the timber is exported from Peru, 134m³ being imported to U.S.A. in 1989. IUCN Conservation category EN A1acd+2cd according to the Americas Regional Workshop for the WCMC/SSC Conservation and sustainable management of trees project (WCMC, 1996). Conservation Measures The species exists in Colombian and Ecuadorean legislation, concerning cutting and export. Populations exist in national parks in all three countries. Forest Measures and Silviculture The species is occasionally cultivated (Wickens, 1995). Seed nuts collected from Ecuador have been planted in New Zealand and have shown very rapid growth, reaching up to 1.5m growth per year during the first few years. After 10 years trees were more than 10m high and bearing their third annual crop of nuts (National Research Council, 1989). No cross-pollination is required for nut production and hybridization appears to be possible (National Research Council, 1989). References Anon.
1994. Collections of the U.S. National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington DC.
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