Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut and Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous shade tree with a straight trunk, rounded open crown, and compound leaves showing typical symptoms of walnut anthracnose disease
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound leaves, 12-24 inches long, with 11-23 leaflets that are ovate-lanceolate, finely serrated, and alternate in arrangement; currently heavily spotted with dark brown fungal lesions characteristic of anthracnose
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black bark, deeply furrowed with narrow, rounded ridges forming a distinctive diamond-shaped pattern
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America, well-adapted to deep, rich alluvial soils in temperate zones
Growing Season
Leafs out late in spring, flowers in mid-spring, drops leaves early in autumn due to frost or anthracnose; best planted in early spring
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth; prefers moist, well-draining soils and is moderately drought-tolerant once established
Mature Size
Reaches 50 to 75 feet in height with an equal or greater spread, growing at a moderate rate with a lifespan of 130 years or more
Special Characteristics
Produces valuable dark timber, edible nuts rich in oil, and secretes juglone, a chemical that inhibits the growth of certain companion plants
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports squirrels, woodpeckers, and various mammals that consume the nuts, and provides nesting sites for birds