Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

Size: 3g Size Availability

Tree
Max size: 100’ tall x 50’ wide
Average size: 80′ tall x 40′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry, Very Dry
Clay, Loam, Sand
Sun, Part Shade
Tolerant of moderate salt spray

This deciduous tree has a yellow fall color and inconspicuous spring blooms. The edible walnuts ripen in the fall. Its roots, leaves, and nuts release an effective herbicide to reduce competition. This means that it should be planted in a location where surrounding plants are species that can withstand its herbicide. The roots, bark, and fruit husks stain, and can also be used to make a black or brown dye or paint pigment. The leaves can produce a green dye or paint pigment. The nuts are a preferred food of foxes and squirrels.

The wood of the Black Walnut is highly desirable; it makes long-lasting furniture, cabinets, veneers, caskets, posts, and more. The juice from a broken walnut husk can be applied to skin sores like ringworm. Medicinal uses of the plant include: infusion made of nutshells to relieve itch, decoction of leaves to lower blood pressure, bark chewed for toothache, inner bark is made into an emetic and laxative tea. The edible walnuts also have multiple non-medicinal uses: seeds used in corn pudding, soup, and mashed potatoes, the fresh seeds mixed with cornmeal to make bread, fresh nut meat boiled and drank, oil extracted by boiling the nuts can be used as a condiment.