Karrie I worked my way through art school by working with an old tree surgeon doing all his high cutting. Your tree hitting technique got me thinking. I remember Henry telling me about Walnut trees, so I looked it up & you're not far off, please see below W**F Walnuts are harvested by hitting the ends of the branches with a long pole. This not only knocks off the walnuts, but the tips of the branches as well. When the tips are knocked off, it encourages the growth of new spurs which will, in turn, produce new flowers. The wood of the tree is also harvested to make furniture. (Taken from this gardening site)