Eastern Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Also listed as Wallia nigra, Juglans pitteursii
Also known as Black Walnut, American Walnut
Climate Match for your location
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A large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, valued for its dark wood and edible nuts, though it produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit nearby plants. It develops a broad, spreading canopy and displays attractive golden fall foliage.
Why grow it
Eastern black walnut offers nuts with higher oil content and richer flavor than many other temperate nut trees, making it worthwhile for food production in suitable climates. Its dense, dark heartwood has commercial value, and the tree provides substantial timber volume compared to slower-growing hardwoods. The species is notably hardy across USDA zones 4-9 and requires less management than some nut crops once established.
Watch out for
The tree's allelopathic compounds can substantially reduce yields of nearby garden plants and lawn growth, requiring deliberate spacing or companion selection. Walnut husk staining and debris management can be labor-intensive in landscaped settings. Black walnut is susceptible to several diseases including thousand cankers disease in some regions, so local disease pressure should be assessed before planting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Juglandaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Thomas and Carpathian are grafted cultivars selected for larger, thinner-shelled nuts and earlier nut production compared to seedling trees.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, valued for its dark wood and edible nuts, though it produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit nearby plants. It develops a broad, spreading canopy and displays attractive golden fall foliage.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Eastern Black Walnut grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Eastern black walnut offers nuts with higher oil content and richer flavor than many other temperate nut trees, making it worthwhile for food production in suitable climates. Its dense, dark heartwood has commercial value, and the tree provides substantial timber volume compared to slower-growing hardwoods. The species is notably hardy across USDA zones 4-9 and requires less management than some nut crops once established.
Watch out for
The tree's allelopathic compounds can substantially reduce yields of nearby garden plants and lawn growth, requiring deliberate spacing or companion selection. Walnut husk staining and debris management can be labor-intensive in landscaped settings. Black walnut is susceptible to several diseases including thousand cankers disease in some regions, so local disease pressure should be assessed before planting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Juglandaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Notable Cultivars
Thomas and Carpathian are grafted cultivars selected for larger, thinner-shelled nuts and earlier nut production compared to seedling trees.