Harvested early in the season, the Payne walnut is medium to small in size with a very good shell seal. Payne has a high yield potential due to high lateral bud fruitfulness (80 to 90%) and good vigor. The tree is precocious and requires heavy pruning when young to avoid overbearing. Due to its early leafing and bloom, Payne is very susceptible to walnut blight and codling moth . Chico and Hartley are pollenizers, although Payne is self-fruitful due to good coincidence of pistillate bloom and pollen shedding.