Luther Burbank - Tree Architect

Luther Burbank was one of the most famous people of his time, surprisingly a fame he achieved as a botanist. Like a mad scientist in the garden, he hybridized plants to appeal to the senses by removing thorns, increasing sizes, changing colors, and manipulating scents.

Oddly enough, he was experimenting just minutes away from Paradox Ranch, at what is known as the Luther Burbank Gold Ridge Experiment Farm. Remnants of his experiment still exist there, and it is now referred to as a tree museum.

As it turns out, he is responsible for the creation of my favorite species of California Walnut. While he coined it the Paradox Walnut, woodworkers refer to it as Bastogne Walnut. Made by crossing the pollinating the flower of theNorthern California Black Walnut (Juglans Hindsii) with the pollen of the English Walnut (Juglans Regia), he birthed a creation that is 50% denser than other Walnuts and 7x faster growing. Little did he know, the wood grain is even more beautiful than either parent.

While farmers saw more opportunity in using Paradox as a fast growing rootstock for more profitable and desirable English Walnut fruit, Burbank saw the Paradox Tree as an opportunity for creating a fast growing and durable source of lumber.

Paradox Ranch will fulfill his original intention for the Paradox Walnut, dedicating an entire orchard to approximately 60 of the trees for future artisans.