New variety of French walnut. Medium-sized fruit, but of very good quality.
Fernor is the first variety in the world combining late flowering, fruiting on lateral branches, and very good nut and kernel quality. It has a higher fruiting rate than Franket. Although this walnut has a medium size, like Franket, it is intended for the market and sold as shelled kernels.
FRUIT
The shape is somewhat elongated, resembling Franket's shape but more conical. The shell has medium thickness, and the halves are tightly joined. The fruit size is slightly larger than Franket's, with 60% of nuts exceeding 32 mm.
The kernel is of very good quality, tasty and very light. It stores well, is easily extracted, and represents 40% — 44% of the total nut weight. It has excellent flavor, with a tender and slightly sweeter kernel compared to Franket's.
PRODUCTION
Due to fruiting on lateral branches, Fernor fruits faster than Franket — 5 — 7 years. The average production potential is 3.5 tons/ha of dried nuts. Planting density ranges from 156 to 312 trees per hectare.
Fernor — TREE
Energy: medium, but lower than Franket.
Habit: (external appearance) upright
Fruit type III: on lateral branches, fruits arranged along the branches.
Bud break date — late: late April, like Franket.
Protet, a late-flowering variety for male and female flowers in May.
PLANTING DISTANCE
Fernor is well adapted to semi-intensive systems, either in checkerboard pattern 8 m x 8 m or as trellis 8 m between rows and 6 m within rows.
Kernel pollination is anemophilous; it is necessary to use pollinating varieties such as Rond de Montignac and Melanze, even Fernet, depending on geographical conditions, for example in Gironde, at a rate of 2–3 trees/ha.
PRUNING
Since this is a variety with not very strong fruiting on lateral branches, it is recommended to shape Fernor along the main axis and practice bending or bending lateral branches to prevent an overly upright habit.
PRUNING FOR TREE MAINTENANCE
This pruning is necessary to maintain good production quality. Pruning allows light to reach the inner part of the tree, which is essential for inducing flowering for the next year's production. For Fernor, it begins at 6 — 8 years by removing fruiting points and small branches in the inner part of the tree, unnecessary branches or branches positioned too low.
HARVEST
Harvest is the key stage for obtaining high-quality produce. Nuts must be collected quickly and should not remain on the ground for more than 3 days. Nuts intended for market sale in dried form must be immediately dried in dryers using warm air to achieve 12% moisture content in the nuts.
STORAGE
After drying, quality can be preserved for one year if nuts are stored in shells at temperatures below 10°C and humidity of 70%. Shelled nuts must be stored in dark places at temperatures from 4 to 7°C and humidity of 70%.
