Black Walnut
Scientific Name: Juglans Nigra
—Pronounced: JOO-glanz NY-gruh
—Juglans combines Ju for Jupiter (King of the Gods) and glans, Latin for nut.
—nigra is Latin for black.
Walnut Family (Juglandaceae) other family members - hickories & pecans
—Pronounced: JOO-glanz NY-gruh
—Juglans combines Ju for Jupiter (King of the Gods) and glans, Latin for nut.
—nigra is Latin for black.
Walnut Family (Juglandaceae) other family members - hickories & pecans
Black walnut can be recognized by its large (12-24” long) compound leaves and dark, deeply furrowed bark. Each leaf has 6-24 finely toothed leaflets. The leaves have an aromatic pine/citrus scent when crushed. The twigs are stout with leaf scars that some say resembles a monkey’s face.
For more identification information see this Virginia Tech Fact Sheet
Black walnut grows best in well-drained fertile bottomlands, but can also be found on moist north or east facing slopes. It requires full sun and is never abundant in a mature forest. You will notice several other black walnuts near this one, indicating that this area was a clearing when they began life, several decades ago.
Interesting Facts:
— Black walnuts are one of the last trees to leaf out in the Spring, and the first to drop their leaves in the Fall.
— Squirrels love black walnuts and will spend a great deal of time in the fall harvesting and storing them.
— Black walnut is a host plant for over 100 species of butterflies and moths.
— Technically, the fruit is a drupe, not a nut.
For more identification information see this Virginia Tech Fact Sheet
Black walnut grows best in well-drained fertile bottomlands, but can also be found on moist north or east facing slopes. It requires full sun and is never abundant in a mature forest. You will notice several other black walnuts near this one, indicating that this area was a clearing when they began life, several decades ago.
Interesting Facts:
— Black walnuts are one of the last trees to leaf out in the Spring, and the first to drop their leaves in the Fall.
— Squirrels love black walnuts and will spend a great deal of time in the fall harvesting and storing them.
— Black walnut is a host plant for over 100 species of butterflies and moths.
— Technically, the fruit is a drupe, not a nut.