The downside is that the downed leaves need to be raked off the grass. Walnut leaves start losing their green with the first cold snap of fall. They stay on, dropping reluctantly unless there is a severe frost. Then the leaves will all shed in a matter of hours. Look for walnuts under the trees.
English walnuts make great ingredients in cookies.
Local crows carry walnuts high up into the air, then drop the nuts on pavement, hoping the nuts will crack open or get mashed by passing vehicles. An ornamental dogwood tree has unusual silver decorated red leaves as its final good-bye to summer.