Walnut harvest season has begun in the Pınarbaşı (Bilbes) village located in the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak (Şırnex), Turkey.

The village is famous for its walnut trees which can reach heights of more than 15 metres. Nut collecting can be difficult in trees of this height.

Workers set off in truck haulages in the early morning and climb the trees with ropes. While workers shake the trees from the top, a team collects the falling walnuts below. The fresh walnuts are dried on the rooftops of nearby houses.

“Walnuts are a sign of respect for guests”

Nebi Cin (73), a villager, said that the main difficulty in picking walnuts was the height of the trees, adding that several people have fallen and hurt themselves in the attempt.

Cin said they grew walnut trees over a period of 40 years to gain maximum efficiency. “Walnuts are good for your health”, said Cin. “But picking the walnuts and taking care of the trees is hard work. During winter we offer walnuts to our guests to show our respect”.

Cin, along with the squirrels and woodpeckers, was pleased by the large number of walnuts produced this year.