Juglans nigra Northern - Hardwood - Black Walnut, Eastern Black Walnut Page

Welcome to our web page advertising the Juglans nigra, also known as Black Walnut or Eastern Black Walnut. This magnificent tree is primarily grown for its highly favored and beautifully grained wood. Its timber is of incredible value, making it possibly the most sought-after wood in North America. The Black Walnut also produces nuts that are often used in candies and ice cream, adding to its desirability.

The Black Walnut tree has a distinct appearance, with a grey-black, deeply furrowed bark and compound dark green leaves. It typically has a single unbranched trunk for some distance, followed by a rounded crown. These trees thrive in rich moist soil, although they can tolerate drought conditions.

Native to eastern North America, the Eastern Black Walnut grows predominantly in riparian zones from southern Ontario to Texas. It grows to heights of 30-40 feet, developing a tall, clear bole under forest competition, while the open-grown form has a short bole and broad crown. The leaves are odd-pinnate, ranging from 30-60 cm long, with 15-23 leaflets. During autumn, the female flowers ripen into a fruit (nut) with a brownish-green semi-fleshy husk and a brown corrugated nut. The entire fruit, including the husk, falls in October.

In addition to its wood and nuts, Black Walnut has various practical applications. The hard black walnut shell is commercially used in abrasive cleaning, cosmetics, oil well drilling, and water filtration. The wood itself is highly ornamental, heavy, hard, and strong, with a close-grained and durable nature. It can be easily worked, glued well, and polished. Used for making furniture, flooring, and rifle stocks, the wood is also utilized in cabinet making, interior finishes of houses, airplanes, shipbuilding, and veneer.

Although native to the midwest and east central United States, the Black Walnut was introduced into Europe in 1629 and is now cultivated there alongside North America as a forest tree for its superior quality wood. While open-grown trees produce more nuts, the tree itself is more resistant to frost than the Persian walnut. It flourishes best in warmer regions with fertile, lowland soils and a high water table.

Join us in exploring the wonders of the Juglans nigra, a truly remarkable tree with its valuable wood, delicious nuts, and significant contributions to various industries. For further information, visit our website at http://plants.usda.gov.