Black walnut

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a species of deciduous tree in the walnut family, Juglandaceae, native to eastern North America. It is prized for its high quality timber and for the edible nut it produces.

Description

The black walnut tree typically grows 70-100 feet tall, with a large, rounded canopy. The bark is dark and deeply furrowed. The leaves are alternate, 12-24 inches long, with 15-23 leaflets. The flowers are catkins, produced in late spring. The fruit is a large, round nut, enclosed in a green husk.

Distribution and habitat

Black walnut is native to the eastern United States, but it has been introduced to other parts of North America, as well as Europe. It grows in a variety of habitats, but prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

Uses

Black walnut is highly valued for its dark-colored, straight-grained, dense and strong wood. It is used for furniture, cabinetry, veneers, and gunstocks. The nuts are edible and are used in baking and for making a type of oil. The husks are used to make a dye.

Cultivation

Black walnut is grown both for its wood and for its nuts. It is a relatively slow-growing tree, but it can live for several hundred years. It is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including the walnut twig beetle and the fungus Geosmithia morbida, which cause thousand cankers disease.

Conservation

While black walnut is not currently considered threatened, it is vulnerable to overexploitation for its timber. Efforts are being made to conserve the species through sustainable forestry practices.

See also

• Walnut
• Juglandaceae
• Thousand cankers disease

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