USPP3141P - Muratore - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1972 MURATORE Plant Pat. 3,141

WALNUT TREE Filed Nov. 21, 1969 INVENTOR Giacomo Mumtore BY wade/T6 UM A'TTO R N EYS United States Patent 3,141 WALNUT TREE Giacomo Muratore, Merced, Califi, assignor to Guido Bandoni, Merced, Calif. Filed Nov. 21, 1969, Ser. No. 878,962 Int. Cl. A01h 5/03 US. Cl. Plt.32 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A new and distinct variety of English walnut tree which is extremely vigorous and rapid in growth, of large size in maturity, of medium form, of medium density with large to very large leaves, and a regular and heavy to very heavy bearer of large to very large, early maturing nuts borne to a great extent in clusters; many of which clusters are on lateral buds.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY The herein claimed variety of walnut tree was discovered by me growing in my Eureka (unpatented) walnut orchard located near Merced, Merced County, Calif.; the source of the original tree being unknown to me. Upon initial recognition by me of the apparent distinctive characteristics of such original tree of the present variety, I thereafter continued to carefully observe it over a period of time and to confirm the fact of such distinctive characteristics.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY Subsequent to my discovery of the original tree of the present variety, and confirmationby continued observationof its distinctive characteristics, the variety was asexually reproduced, on my behalf, by a qualified person; such reproductions having been produced by grafting scions from the original tree on black walnut trees growing in such persons orchard, also located near Merced, Merced County, Calif. In maturity, all of the asexual reproductions of the variety ran true to the original tree in every respect.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY The present variety of walnut tree is, essentially, distinctively characterized by extremely vigorous and rapid growth, by a large size at maturity, by medium form, by medium density but with large to very large leaves, and by an unusual fruiting habit in that it is a regular and heavy to very heavy bearer of large to very large, early maturing nuts whichto a great extent-occur in clusters, many of which are on lateral buds.

As compared to the Eureka, the greater vigor of growth of the tree of the present variety is readily apparent, as is the importantly distinctive characteristic of the clustering habit of the nuts, with many of the clusters appearing on lateral buds and as tends to occur on the Payne (unpatented).

The present variety of walnut tree is additionally distinctively characterized by an evident resistance to sunburn; such an occurrence having been substantially absent both on the original tree and reproduction thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing is an illustration, =by photographic reproduction in color, of a leafed twig and cluster of nuts, nuts Plant Pat. 3,141 Patented Apr. 25, 1972 "ice removed from the hull, and kernels removed from the nuts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of walnut tree-with color definitions (except those in common color terms) referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color-are as follows:

Tree:

Parentage.-Unknown.

Size at maturity.Large.

Growing habit.-Extremely vigorous, rapid.

Form of growth-Medium.

Wood.Trunklight colored bark.

Production.Regular.

Bearing.Heavy to very heavy.

Foliage.-Medium dense.

Time of Leafing (date when tip buds average 1" in length).--Early. About with Eureka.

Leaves:

Size.-Large to very large, average length of leaflets-9V2"; average width of leaflets-3V2.

Margin.-Crenate.

Petiole.Short.

Glands-None.

Color.-Top side-Medium green (23-L-9). Under side-Lighter green (22-1-6).

Flowers Flowering habit.-Slightly before Eureka.

Age at which tree starts producing catkins.-Early.

Number of catkins produced.Average.

Size of catk ins.--Average.

Time of pollen shedding.-Early.

Age at which tree starts producing pistillate flowers- Early to very early.

Number of pistillage flowers produced by young and mature trees.Abundant.

Percentage of lateral buds on long shoots (about 3 feet) of previous seasons growth which produce pistillate flowers.--About 50%.

Number of pistillate flowers per infl0rescence.--1 to Time when pistillate flowers are receptive.Early.

Coincidence of pollen shedding and pistillate receptivity.-Good.

Nuts:

Kernel Sizer-Large.

Fill.-Good to very good.

Kernel plumpness..--Plump to very plump.

Amount of kernel shrivelL-Minimzil.

Speckling of kernels.-Some speckling.

Veining.Lightly veined (light brown).

Flavor.Very good; without astringency.

C0l0r.Skin--Beige (114-5). Somewhat waxy in appearance-Meat-Ivory.

Resistance to sunburn: Excellent. Resistance to disease and insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

The walnut tree and its nuts herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may be grown; the. present description 4 being of the variety as grown in the Central Valley of California.

I claim:

1. A new and distinct variety of English walnut tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterzied by extremely vigorous and rapid growth, by large size, by medium form, by medium density but with large to very large leaves, and by the regular and heavy to very heavy bearing of large to very large, early maturing nuts borne to a great extent in clusters, many of which clusters are on lateral buds.

No references cited.

ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner

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