It depends on how the tree was propagated, most english walnut in the US is grafted on American or Bastone root stock. As a result the only english walnut will be above the graft lines, below will be root stock. Branches are not good usually for gunstocks. If the tree is a seedling tree with no graft the usual method is to dig below the roots to recover as much usable wood as possible, there will be nice figured wood at the junction of the trunk and roots, also at the junction of the main branches. It would be best to have someone familiar with harvesting gunstocks to remove the tree. Also keep in mind that you are dealing with several ton of tree when it is on the ground. Where are you at?
Jim A.
