Juglans nigra
treeBlack walnut (Juglans nigra) is a tall, stately native nut tree, 50 to 90 ft, with deeply furrowed dark bark, large ferny leaves, and round green fruits that ripen to richly flavored nuts in fall. Prized for its valuable dark timber and its bold, distinctive nuts, it also yields a strong brown dye from its husks and has a long folk tradition behind the husk and leaf. Its famous quirk is juglone - a compound in its roots, leaves, and husks that suppresses the growth of many plants beneath its canopy. It is grown for nuts and dye, and as a magnificent long-lived shade tree, sited well away from sensitive gardens.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 14 days
Harvest
~8 yrs
to first harvest
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
40-60 ft apart
Planting Depth
Sow nut 1-2 in. deep, or set taproot deep and straight
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Deep, rich, moist, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
When to Fertilize
Spring feed while young if needed
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; moderate needs
Black walnut wants full sun and deep, rich, moist, well-drained soil for good nut production, though it tolerates a range of conditions. Plant a young tree or sow a nut in fall where it is to grow, as the long taproot resents transplanting; water while young. Site it carefully: the juglone in its roots and litter inhibits tomatoes, apples, blueberries, azaleas, and many vegetables within and beyond the dripline, so keep gardens, sensitive trees, and compost piles well clear. It grows steadily, bears nuts after several years, and lives for generations. Keep the area beneath it to juglone-tolerant plants.
Direct sow
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Oct 26 · Year 9
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Spread by walnut twig beetle; keep trees vigorous, watch for dieback, and avoid moving walnut wood that can carry it
Colonies strip leaves late in summer; prune out and destroy massed larvae
Prune out the silken nests at branch ends; damage is mostly cosmetic
Gather the nuts in fall as the green husks drop and begin to soften and blacken. Wear gloves - the husks stain hands, clothes, and concrete a deep, lasting brown (that stain is the traditional dye). Hull the nuts promptly, wash them, and cure the in-shell nuts a few weeks before cracking the hard shells for the rich kernels. Save the husks for dye. The leaves and husks are also the traditionally gathered parts; handle and use them knowingly given the staining juglone.
Black walnuts are richly flavored, oily, and nutritious, eaten out of hand and baked into cakes and candies once the tough shells are cracked. The husks give a strong brown dye and, with the leaves, are the traditionally gathered parts. Remember the juglone: it makes the tree a poor neighbor for tomatoes, apples, blueberries, and many garden plants, so place it thoughtfully.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
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