Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Deciduous hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut tree and shade tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild species (no specific named cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9
About This Tree
A large deciduous tree featuring a straight trunk, upright branching forming an open, rounded crown, and a moderate to fast growth rate when young
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound leaves, typically 12 to 24 inches long, with 15 to 23 leaflets that are ovate-lanceolate with serrate margins and an alternate arrangement
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, deeply furrowed with rounded ridges forming a diamond-shaped pattern that becomes rougher 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, goes dormant in winter; best planted in early spring or autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils, though it has moderate drought tolerance once established
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 50 to 75 feet (sometimes up to 100 feet) with a comparable spread, and a long lifespan of 130 years or more
Special Characteristics
Produces highly valued dark timber, edible nutrient-dense nuts enclosed in a green husk, and secretes juglone which inhibits the growth of certain nearby plants
Wildlife & Ecology
Supports numerous species of mammals such as squirrels and chipmunks that consume the nuts, provides nesting sites for birds, and serves as a larval host for various moths