Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Shade and Nut Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9
About This Tree
A large deciduous tree featuring a straight trunk, an open and rounded crown with sturdy branches, and compound foliage providing moderate shade.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves, 1-2 feet long, with 15 to 23 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate-lanceolate, finely serrated, and yellow-green in summer.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, deeply furrowed with narrow, rounded ridges forming a diamond-shaped pattern.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and Central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring, drops leaves relatively early in autumn. Flowers in spring with small catkins, produces nuts that mature in fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and moist, deep, well-draining soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches 50 to 75 feet in height with an equal or greater spread, growing at a medium rate with a long lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone, an allelopathic chemical that inhibits the growth of certain surrounding plants. Highly valued for its dark, rich timber and edible nuts.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides food for squirrels and other rodents that cache the nuts. Serves as a host plant for various moth species and offers nesting sites for birds.