One often-overlooked crop of fall is edible nuts.

Pennsylvania has an assortment of native nut tree species.

Wild walnuts, butternuts, and hickories can be collected in October and November and enjoyed over the winter months.

Peanuts are not nuts. They are legumes that grow underground. They can be grown in Pennsylvania, but likely will be more productive if started indoors and transplanted outdoors when the weather is warm enough.

There are many named varieties of nut trees which have been recognized as outstanding when compared to most wild nut trees. They produce larger nuts and are easier to crack out than their smaller, wild relatives.

A named variety is usually produced on a grafted tree.

Young wood from the superior tree is collected when it is in dormancy during the winter. It is then grafted, or spliced, onto a young wild tree called a rootstock. The grafted piece grows and will begin producing its superior nuts in several years.

Plant the named varieties of nuts to be sure your tree will be a good producer. There is even a butternut that has been named “Lost River” in honor of the location of the parent plant found near Lost River Caverns in Hellertown.

Some of the most outstanding named varieties of hickory are Keystone, Henry, Porter and Grainger.

There are many species of hickories (Carya spp.) found in the United States and several of them bear edible nuts.

One of the most common species in Pennsylvania is the shagbark hickory, Carya ovata. The bark hangs from the trunk in long, shaggy strips. Shagbark hickories have compound leaves with five leaflets.

Another hickory commonly found in Pennsylvania is the shellbark hickory, Carya laciniosa. The nuts of shagbark and shellbark hickories are usually small and have a sweet flavor.

Hickories are not often used in the suburban landscape because they get very large. They can attain a height of 60 feet or more. They also drop nuts in the fall, which is not usually desirable for home lawns.

Hickories are also difficult to transplant because they develop large taproots. However, they are beautiful, majestic trees and if you have the space, they can be a rewarding addition to your landscape.

The pecan (Carya illinoensis) is a close relative to hickories.

While usually considered to be a plant of the southern states, there are several varieties of pecans that can be grown in Pennsylvania. The amount of nuts produced depends on the weather conditions that season. A late spring or early fall frost can destroy the crop, but in milder years, mature pecan nuts can be harvested.

So go out and collect your tree nuts before the squirrels get all of them.

Master Gardener Workshop: “More Than a Sting: Wasps in the Pollinator Garden,” 10:30 a.m. - Noon Oct. 12, Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Register:

https://extension.psu.edu/more-than-a-sting-wasps-and-the-pollinator-garden

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613