CUNNINGHAM, TN – The annual wild black walnut harvest is officially returning to Montgomery County. From Oct. 1 through Nov. 16, area residents can turn fallen yard clutter into extra holiday cash by bringing their unhulled wild black walnuts to the Hammons Hulling Station located at 3979 Lem Davis Road, just off Highway 13.
Black walnuts are a unique American crop because they are never orchard-grown. Instead, 100% of the harvest is gathered from wild trees by individuals, families, landowners, and youth groups. For the 2026 season, the locked-in payout rate is $14 per 100 pounds after hulling.
“We are proud to serve as an official hulling partner for Hammons this year,” said John Gordy, operator of the Cunningham station. “This is a fantastic Middle Tennessee tradition that helps landowners clear their lawns while giving local families, scouts, and FFA chapters an easy way to earn extra money right before the holiday season.
How the process works:
- Gather: Collect wild black walnuts that have fallen from trees (the green, yellowish, and slightly black hulls are perfectly fine).
- Bring: Transport the walnuts to the station at 3979 Lem Davis Road during operational hours. It’s the last property on this dead-end road.
- Hull and weigh: The station will run the walnuts through a specialized hulling machine to remove the outer green husk.
- Get paid: Sellers are paid cash on the spot based on the final weight of the clean, in-shell walnuts at a rate of $14 per 100 pounds.
The Cunningham station will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Oct. 1. The buying season ends on Nov. 16.
Sellers are encouraged to bring walnuts in sturdy containers, trucks, or trailers. For directions or large load drop-offs, please call 502.544.3107 or email jcgiii@icloud.com. You can also visit the official Hammons locator map found under “The Harvest” tab at black-walnuts.com.