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| ## black walnut {#black-walnut .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Juglans nigra* L.                                                    |
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| Plant Symbol = JUNI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office

![Color image of Black Walnut (Juglans
nigra)](media/image2.png){width="1.8in" height="2.3in"}**Uses**

Traditionally the dark colored wood was used for gun stocks, fencing,
airplane propellers, and cabinetry. Today the high valued wood is
utilized for some of the finest quality furniture. The large nuts
produced by this tree are consumed by wildlife and humans.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Black walnut usually matures in about 150 years. An average site will
produce mature black walnut trees which are 70 to 80 feet in height and
attain diameters of 2 to 4 feet when grown in a forest stand. On the
best sites this tree may reach up to 150 feet tall and over 8 feet in
diameter. When grown at low stocking or in open fields, black walnut
produces a short, wide spreading crown.

A deep, wide spreading root system supports this large tree. Mature
trees have a deeply furrowed gray-brown to nearly black bark. The brown
to orange-brown twigs are stout, with large, shield shaped, conspicuous
leaf scars. The deciduous leaves are 1 to 2 feet long, alternate, and
compound. The 15 to 23 leaflets are stemless, unequally rounded, and
wider at the base than at the pointed tips.

Unisexual flowers emerge on black walnut from mid-April to mid-June,
appearing with the leaves on a separate inflorescence of the same tree.
A globular fruit is produced which contains a corrugated nut in its
yellowish-green husk. The nut is usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in
diameter, containing an oil-rich, sweet, and edible seed. The large
fruit ripens between September and October. Upon ripening the husk
softens and turns dark brown to black.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Found throughout the eastern U.S., black walnut thrives in deeper, well
drained, neutral soils. Black walnut is a shade intolerant species, and
must have direct sunlight to grow optimally. It requires about 35 inches
of annual precipitation, an annual average temperature of about 55
degrees F., with no less than 170 growing days for optimum growth and
development. This species survives beyond its ideal site requirements as
it approaches the limits of its native range. Black walnut is found
naturally growing from Vermont to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas.

When acquiring planting stock it is important to utilize local or
regional sources, since climatic variation has been noted.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Seed dormancy is broken by natural over-winter freezing and thawing
conditions or artificially with cool moist stratification.

*Natural*: Shortly after leaves fall from the tree, the nuts fall. This
species is naturally distributed by various wildlife, as they store nuts
in the soil for winter. After the freezing and thawing of winter, those
nuts not consumed by wildlife will normally germinate the first or
second spring. On good sites, seedlings will grow 3 feet the first year
and double that the second year.

*Nursery*: Propagating seedlings under nursery conditions is a viable
choice, but precautions must be taken to protect against rodent
predation. Direct seeding onto raised beds or at a site will lead to
productive results. Seedlings should be distributed as 1/0 bare-root or
containerized stock. On fertile nursery soils, black walnut should not
require additional nutrients for adequate growth.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

European canker and walnut caterpillar are the only two pests documented
to attack black walnut.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Over 100 varieties of black walnut have been selected for their nut
quality, but most commercially available seedlings are produced from
local collections. Specific varieties are typically propagated from
grafts.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Dickerson* (retired), USDA NRCS New York State Office, Syracuse,
New York

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060801 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060801-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*