Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut tree and shade tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild species (no specific cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous tree featuring a straight trunk, an open, rounded crown, and deeply furrowed dark bark. Known for producing valuable hardwood timber and edible nuts enclosed in a green husk.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves usually 1 to 2 feet long, containing 15 to 23 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate-lanceolate, finely serrated, and yellow-green in color.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, thick, and deeply furrowed into distinct diamond-shaped ridges.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern North America, well-adapted to rich alluvial soils and mixed hardwood forests
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring, drops leaves relatively early in autumn; flowers in mid-spring and produces nuts maturing in autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth. Prefers moist, deep, rich soils but exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 50 to 75 feet or more, with an equal or greater spread, growing at a moderate to fast rate.
Special Characteristics
Produces juglone, a chemical that inhibits the growth of certain surrounding plants; highly prized for dark, rich timber and edible nuts.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides food for squirrels and other rodents, nesting sites for birds, and plays a significant role in forest ecosystems.