Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Nut Tree, Forest 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 a straight trunk, rounded open crown, and compound foliage. Known for producing valuable dark timber and edible nuts enclosed in a green husk.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves, 12-24 inches long, with 15-23 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate-lanceolate with finely serrated margins, bright green above and paler hairy underneath.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, deeply furrowed with prominent diamond-shaped ridges that become rougher and more rugged with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring, drops leaves early in autumn. Flowers in mid-spring, produces nuts maturing in autumn, and enters winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Mature height of 50-75 feet (sometimes up to 100 feet) with an equal or greater spread. Fast to moderate growth rate, long lifespan of 130+ years.
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone, an allelopathic chemical that inhibits the growth of certain plants nearby. Highly prized for its rich, dark brown heartwood used in fine furniture and gunstocks.
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports squirrels, woodpeckers, and various mammals that consume the nuts. Provides nesting and cover for numerous bird species.