After more than two decades of research, the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry has received a patent for its first black walnut cultivar, named the UMCA "Hickman" Walnut. The development marks a step toward the center's long-standing goal of supporting a regional tree nut industry in Missouri.
The new cultivar, developed for kernel production rather than timber, was selected for its potential in orchard-based nut production. It is noted for its spur-bearing trait, which allows trees to produce higher yields earlier in their lifespan. According to interim director Ron Revord, this characteristic could improve economic returns for producers investing in tree nut systems.
© MU
Development of the UMCA "Hickman" Walnut began with Dr. Mark Coggeshall, who led the Black Walnut Improvement Program from the early 2000s until 2019, when Revord assumed leadership. The cultivar was identified as suitable for orchard-style agroforestry due to its productivity and compatibility with mixed-species systems such as alley cropping. These configurations offer an alternative to timber-focused systems by generating annual income through nut sales.
The cultivar's name is a reference to the historic Hickman House, a brick home built in 1819 located at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm (HARF) in New Franklin, Missouri. The Center for Agroforestry is based at HARF, which spans over 600 acres in the Missouri River Hills.
With the patent secured, licensing for nursery sales is underway. The Center is working to scale production through micropropagation in a tissue culture lab on the University of Missouri campus. Master's student Jericha Hervey has begun research on shoot initiation and multiplication techniques to support future nursery availability.
Established in 1998, the Center for Agroforestry researches systems that integrate trees with crops or livestock, including practices such as forest farming, silvopasture, alley cropping, and windbreaks. These systems aim to support environmental protection, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.
The Hickman House, which inspired the cultivar's name, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The HARF site includes a variety of fruit and nut trees used for agroforestry research.
For more information:
University of Missouri
Tel: +1 573 882 7488
Email: turnerrh@missouri.edu
www.moaes.missouri.edu