English Walnut (or Persian Walnut)
Juglans regia · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut, Fruit, Shade Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
None visible; standard wild-type or seed-grown species characterized by massive trunk and spreading habit.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-9; sensitive to early autumn or late spring frosts.
About This Tree
A large, spreading deciduous tree with a massive, short trunk and a broad, rounded crown. It grows at a moderate rate and develops heavy, horizontal branches that provide dense shade. Known for its smooth silvery-grey juvenile bark that becomes deeply fissured with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, 10-15 inches long with 5-9 leaflets. Leaflets are broadly elliptic to ovate, entire (smooth) margins, and arranged alternately. Terminal leaflet is typically the largest. Color is bright green, turning yellow-brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
On young trees, the bark is smooth and silvery-grey. On the mature specimen pictured, it is thick, grayish-brown, and deeply furrowed into broad, flattened ridges and irregular diamond-shaped patterns.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Balkans, Southeast Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas; widely naturalized in North America and Western Europe.
Growing Season
Bud break occurs in late spring to avoid frost; flowers in May; fruit ripens and drops in September/October; dormant from November to April.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun required for fruit production. Prefers deep, well-drained, fertile loams with consistent moisture but can tolerate moderate drought once established.
Mature Size
Height: 40-60 feet; Spread: 40-60 feet; Growth Rate: Moderate; Lifespan: 100-200 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces edible walnuts with high oil content. Highly valued for fine furniture timber. Features allelopathic chemicals (juglone), though in lower concentrations than Black Walnut (Juglans nigra).
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides significant food for squirrels and local rodents. Host to several moth species. Large canopy provides excellent nesting sites for birds. High ecological value for carbon sequestration and windbreaks.