Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Form

A handsome tree when growing singly in the forest; large, height commonly 50' to 60' but often reaching 100' with a diameter of up to 36"; straight and clear of branches for half its height; when grown in the open, stem short, crown broad and spreading.

Bark

Thick and very dark brown; divided by rather deep fissures into round ridges.

Leaf

Alternate on stem, length 12" to 24", pinnately compound with 14 to 22 yellow-green, sharply pointed leaflets, tapered at the ends and toothed along the margins; smooth above, pale and hairy underneath; yellowish-green turning yellow in autumn.

Fruit (seed)

A large, round nut borne singly or in pairs and enclosed in a solid green husk that is not sticky and does not spread open even after the nut is ripe. The nut is black with a very hard, thick, finely ridged shell enclosing a rich, oily kernel that is edible and highly nutritious; matures in the fall.

Range

Grows on rich bottom lands and moist, fertile hillsides in the southern part of the state; is easily propagated from nuts and grows rapidly in good soil; shade-intolerant.