Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut Tree, Shade Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Not specific (likely a wild-type or elder seedling)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9
About This Tree
A large, stately tree with an open, spreading crown and irregular branching. This specimen shows a mature, rugged form with heavy lateral limbs and a somewhat sparse canopy characteristic of the genus.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, 12-24 inches long with 15-23 leaflets; leaflets are ovate-lanceolate, finely serrated, and turn clear yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Deeply furrowed, dark brown to grayish-black bark with a diamond-shaped pattern of ridges; older bark becomes very thick and rugged.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America; widely adapted to temperate regions
Growing Season
Late blooming; leafing out in late spring, flowering in mid-spring, nut maturation in fall, and early autumn dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required; prefers moist, well-drained, fertile loams but maintains moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
70-100 feet in height with a 60-80 foot spread; slow to moderate growth rate; can live over 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone (an allelopathic chemical), highly valuable dark-grained timber, edible nuts, and possesses strong wind resistance.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides high-protein nuts for squirrels and mammals; larval host for many moths including the Luna Moth; juglone influences the surrounding plant community.