On Sep 4, 9:05�am, Nancy2 > wrote:
> On Sep 3, 7:04�pm, Sue > wrote:
>
> > Good points.
>
> > I live in Massachusetts.
> > Leaves have not yet started turning, and this starting happening a few
> > weeks back.
> > Some of them are more dried up than turning yellow.
>
> > It is an English Walnut grafted onto a black walnut root.
> > Best of both worlds hopefully.
>
> > They cut the top off so they could ship it to me.
>
> > Thanks'
> > Ryan
>
> I've never heard of a nursery lopping off the top (what would likely
> be the main trunk) of a tree to ship it. �

Not only normal but advisable. Severe pruning of young saplings
ensure dense side growth and root development. It's far more
advantageous to promote prolific branching, increased trunk diameter,
and a more developed root system than rapid tall spindly growth... the
tree will be stronger, healthier, and will look better. The growth
rate of trees is most rapid during their first ten years, that's the
most important period for shaping the tree to achieve its maximum
growth. When the tree is ready it will send up a new leader. For the
most attractive specimen trees it may be necesary to lop off the
leader two more times over the first ten years.

Black walnut becomes a very large tree, it's not advisable on the
typical house lot.

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/j/jugnig/jugnig1.html