Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut Tree and Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9
About This Tree
Large, spreading shade tree with a rounded crown, sturdy branches, and round green nuts visible among the foliage
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 10-24 leaflets, finely serrated margins, bright green turning yellow in fall
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, deeply furrowed with a diamond-shaped ridged pattern
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and Central North America
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out, catkins in late spring, nuts ripening and dropping in autumn, winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, moderate water needs, highly sensitive to prolonged drought once established
Mature Size
Height of 50-75 feet, spread of 50-75 feet, moderate growth rate, long lifespan of 130+ years
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone which inhibits growth of certain understory plants; highly valued dark timber; edible nuts
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports squirrels and other rodents that feed on nuts, provides nesting sites for birds, highly allelopathic