Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut tree and shade tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild species (no specific named cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9
About This Tree
Large deciduous shade tree with an open, rounded crown, featuring valuable timber, edible nuts enclosed in a green husk, and a moderate to fast growth rate when young
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves, 1 to 2 feet long, containing 15 to 23 leaflets with finely serrated margins and a terminal leaflet that is sometimes absent
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, deeply furrowed with thick, rounded ridges forming a diamond-shaped pattern
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America, well-adapted to rich alluvial soils of river valleys and moist uplands
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring, drops leaves relatively early in autumn, produces nuts maturing in autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and moist, deep, well-draining soils; moderately drought-tolerant once established
Mature Size
Mature height of 50 to 75 feet with an equal or greater spread, moderate to fast growth rate, and a lifespan exceeding 130 years
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone, a chemical compound that inhibits the growth of certain surrounding plants; highly prized dark timber and edible rich-flavored nuts
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports squirrels, woodpeckers, and various mammals that consume the nuts, and serves as a host plant for several moth species