Juglans nigra

The black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a large, native tree of eastern North America, renowned both for its valuable hardwood and its edible nuts. It is a majestic tree with a broad, rounded crown. Its bark is dark gray-brown, deeply furrowed, and becomes nearly black with age. In autumn, the leaflets turn yellow before falling. The male flowers are pendulous catkins, while the female flowers are inconspicuous, appearing in spring. The fruits are round, green nuts, about 4–6 cm in diameter, enclosed in a fleshy, aromatic husk that darkens as it matures. The nut’s shell is extremely hard and deeply ridged.

Soil type: Prefers deep, rich, fertile, well-drained soils that are slightly acidic to neutral. It tolerates a wide range of soils but should be avoided in very clayey or compacted soils, as well as in extremely calcareous conditions.