The aromatic lanceolate leaves, dangling clusters of greenish-yellow blooms, dark gray bark, and delicious walnuts distinguish the black walnut tree as a huge deciduous tree. A black walnut tree has a lovely oval crown with upward spreading limbs and thick leaves. It is known for its ornamental value. The black walnut is often planted for its abundant amount of edible nuts, in addition to being a lovely tree.
The black walnut tree is covered in detail in this article. You can identify a black walnut in the landscape by looking at descriptions and pictures of the tree’s identifying features: flowers, leaves, bark, and fruit.
Black Walnut Tree Facts
The black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a decorative tree in the Juglandaceae family, which includes walnuts. The irregular oval crown, pinnately compound leaves, dangling catkins, and clusters of edible nuts are all characteristics of this massive tree. Between 100 and 130 feet (30 and 40 meters) tall, black walnut trees grow up to 70 feet (21 meters) broad.
The spicy aromatic scents of a black walnut tree are a distinguishing characteristic. When crushed, the tree leaves, stems, and nut husks release a powerful odor. The pungency of the remainder of the tree is lacking in the delicious walnuts.
The tree grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 and is also known as the eastern American black walnut. A black walnut should be planted in full sun in organically rich, well-drained moist soil for best nut production. The walnut tree can withstand occasional flooding and drought once it has established itself. Black walnut trees grow at a normal pace under ideal circumstances. The tree will grow two to three feet (0.6 – 1 m) per year in full sun and moist loamy soil.
When cultivating a black walnut tree,juglone, a chemical compound, is one frequent problem. Within the tree’s drip line, this substance inhibits the growth of other plants. Juglone may persist in the soil long after the tree has been removed and prevent other plants from growing.
The tree nuts are utilized to make cookies, pies, ice cream, and cakes. Black walnut trees have several usage in the landscape. Top-end furniture, flooring, paddles, and gun stocks are all made of timber from black walnut trees. A sweet sap similar to maple syrup emerges from black walnuts.
Are Black Walnuts Edible?
Black walnut nuts are delectable and mouthwatering. The tough, earthy flavor of the edible walnuts has a distinctive distinct taste. Black walnuts are used in baked goods for their distinctive flavor and texture, and the nuts pair well with main courses and side dishes. Black walnuts are distinguished from other walnut trees by their unique smoky flavor.
Black Walnut Leaves
Black walnut pinnately compound leaves with 15 to 23 leaflets grow on the trees’ branches and trunks. Each 2” to 4” (5 – 10 cm) slender lance-shaped leaflet has fine serration along the margins. The entire compound leaf may be up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
The leaves of black walnut trees spend a brief period on the tree, which is a distinctive feature of their growth. Late in the season, the leaves emerge and fade quickly in the autumn. Black walnut leaves turn golden yellow in the autumn.
In the fall, the leaves of black walnut trees
Black Walnut Tree Bark
The thick, dark gray-black bark that develops deep furrows and thin ridges distinguishes black walnut tree bark from other types of trees. A obvious diamond-shaped patterning runs up the tree trunk in photographs of black walnut bark. A black walnut tree’s stems, branches, and twigs range in color from coppery-brown to black. The V-shaped leaf scar with a bud inside it is one of the black walnut tree’s distinguishing characteristics.
Black Walnut Flowers
Male black walnut tree flowers (left) and female tree flowers (right) are clusters of cylindrical golden yellow or green catkins. Male and female flowers appear on the same walnut tree in late May. Greenish drooping catkins 3″ to 4″ (8–10 cm) long appear on male black walnut trees. Little greenish clusters of female flowers
Black Walnut Fruit
Black walnut drupes resemble clusters of round green plums on trees and are harvested from black walnut trees. The thick green husk of each globular walnut contains a brown to black nut, and the fruit measures between 1″ and 3″ across (2.5 – 7.5 cm). The yellowish-green husk stains clothing and is a characteristic of black walnut fruit.
Black Walnut Nut
Getting black walnut nuts out of their hard brown shells is famously difficult. The nutty walnuts are covered with corrugated ridges and a tough ball-like outer shell. A meaty walnut seed can be found inside the shell. In the fall, the nuts on the tree are ripe for collection.
Kernels of black walnut
Black Walnut Tree Identification
The irregular oval crown, massive pinnately complex green leaves, dark gray furrowed bark, and huge green globose fruit clusters distinguish a black walnut tree. Because of the abundance of nuts beneath the tree in the fall, a black walnut tree is easy to spot.
Examining the twigs of a black walnut tree can also help you identify it. A distinct three-lobed scar on the branch will appear when the leaves fall, resembling a shamrock. Moreover, near a black walnut tree, there will be few, if any, bushes or tiny trees.
How to Harvest Black Walnuts
Wear protective gloves to protect your skin from the inky substance in the husks before you start collecting the nuts. Next hunt for round green fruits about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The green husk should retain a dent when pressed with your finger when it is ready for picking. If you wait too long to gather walnuts, there are a variety of issues. First, bitter or rancid-tasting nuts could be found in black husks that have turned completely black. Second, squirrels and other animals will quickly gather the greatest nuts, which are tasty black walnuts.
Wild trees from which all black walnuts are taken. Late September through October is harvest time. Most walnuts sold in shops, on the other hand, come from cultivated English walnut (Juglans regia) trees.
How to Process Black Walnuts to Eat Their Nut
Always wear protective gear when processing black walnuts for consumption. To get the hulls off, you’ll first need a hammer or a big knife. Some individuals drive over the gathered walnuts to de-hull them, covering them with a tarp. After you’ve removed the hulls, pour enough water over the nuts to wash them thoroughly.
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The next stage in the processing of black walnuts for food is to dry them. After that, for two to four weeks, place them out in a single layer and dry them. Next, place them in a well-lit area with plenty of ventilation. Also, keep squirrels away from them. Unshelled black walnuts are easier to crack open after they’ve been dried and cured. Unshelled walnuts can be stored in burlap sacks or baskets for up to a year if kept in a cool, dry environment.
Where to Plant Black Walnut Tree
Black walnut trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, therefore the best location is in full sun. Deep, rich loamy soil that retains moisture but does not become soggy is ideal for the black walnut tree. To ensure the tree’s survival, ensure that it receives at least 140 frost-free days each year.
Other plants are another factor to consider when deciding where to plant a black walnut tree sapling or rooted plant. Certain shrubs and trees are harmful to the tree’s roots, which containjuglone. As a result, within 70 feet (15 meters) of black walnut, don’t cultivate plants or fruit trees.
How to Grow Black Walnut Tree From Seed
Seedlings of black walnut take root readily. Cold temperatures and moist circumstances are critical for germinating a black walnut seed. Instead, to aid the walnut seeds sprout, you can stratify them indoors. In the autumn, you may plant black walnut seeds directly in the earth. Plant one seed 2 inches (5 cm) deep in the soil in a suitable location.
The following spring, they should be able to germinate. However, squirrels and other wildlife must be prevented from eating the seeds in the ground. Place the dried seeds in a bag with moist peat moss and sand to stratify them indoors. After that, store the seeds in the fridge for three to four months. In the spring, you may sow seeds in a pot or in your garden after the stratifying process.
How to Grow Black Walnut Tree in a Container
Choose a 20″ wide and 18″ deep (50 x 45 cm) pot to grow a black walnut tree in. Drainage holes should be present. Fill the pot with a combination of peat moss and potting soil, with perlite added for drainage. Water well when planting the walnut seed 2″ (5 cm) deep, with the nut on its side.
Seed and sapling protection is critical for success. As a result, cover the pot with wire mesh. Only until the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil is dry should you water the container. You may transplant the walnut sapling to the ground in early spring when it is approximately 1 foot (30 cm) tall.
If you have a small yard or container yard, you may instead continue to develop the black walnut in a pot. Be cautious of allelopathy, which is a process in which drainage water entering the earth may harm the growth of other plants.
Planting a Black Walnut Tree in the Ground
Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the root system into a sunny location. It has a big taproot, similar to a carrot, that you’ll notice. Plant the rooted tree in the same container where it has developed. Fill in the hole with compost-rich soil, pushing down on air pockets as you go. Water the roots thoroughly after filling in the hole to irrigation. Lastly, to help keep the soil moist and weed-free, add a thick layer of mulch.
Black Walnut Tree Care
In a garden setting, walnut trees are easier to take care of. A black walnut tree can survive as long as it gets six to eight hours of sunlight and is protected from strong winds. On caring for a black walnut tree, here are some helpful tips.
How to Water Black Walnut Tree
Throughout the growing season, a black walnut tree thrives on consistently wet soil. During the spring and fall, the walnut tree requires roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week. Water intake should be doubled in the summer months. Rainfall should be sufficient for irrigation from late fall through the end of winter.
Black Walnut Tree Fertilization
Leafy development and abundant nuts are promoted by fertilizing a black walnut tree twice a year. Use a nitrogen-rich tree fertilizer with 21-0-0 NPK rating in the spring. You should apply this to the root area, leaving a 24″ (60 cm) diameter clear ring around the trunk.
To encourage excellent development, apply a balanced organic fertilizer to trees in the summer. In June, for example, apply a 15-15-15 NPK tree fertilizer. Always trust the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to Prune Black Walnut Tree
For a black walnut tree’s healthy development, pruning is critical. Trim back branches in late winter if the tree is small, removing 3″ to 4″ (7.5 – 10 cm). Then, in July, do it again. You can remove branches on the central trunk beneath 4 or 5 feet (1.2 or 1.5 meters) when the black walnut tree becomes taller.
This helps with nut picking by allowing branches to develop robust. You should regularly extract dead, sick, or crossed-over branches from your tree as part of your yearly care. Late winter or early spring is the optimum time to prune a black walnut tree before it emerges from dormancy.
Propagating Black Walnut Tree
Late winter or early spring is the best time to take soft twig cuttings from a healthy black walnut tree. Pick a twig with many leaf buds to begin with. Cut a 2″ (5 cm) thick section of stem that is 10 inches (25 cm) long. Next, from the cut end, remove a 1″ (2.5 cm) section of bark.
Put a 1-gallon (3.7 l) pot with potting soil beside the black walnut tree cutting. Firm the soil around the twig after planting the cutting about 5″ (13 cm) deep. A black walnut cutting should root in approximately four months. Then, transfer the developing tree to its final position.
Pests Affecting Black Walnut Tree Growth
Caterpillars, shoot borers, beetles, and aphids may all affect black walnut growth, despite the fact that it is relatively resistant to pests. Tree cankers, damaged leaves, and a lack of viable nuts are all possible symptoms of pest infestations. Here’s a quick overview of the pests that infest black walnut trees:
Walnut caterpillar (Datana integerrima) The defoliation of walnut and hickory tree leaves by a brown or black hairy caterpillar. Late spring and early summer are the caterpillar’s busiest seasons. Larvae may be controlled using Bacillus thuringiensis.
Walnut shoot moth (Acrobasis demotella) Under the walnut tree leaves, this destructive borer deposits eggs. Shoot dieback can be caused by the developing larvae feeding on leaves.
Walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) Thousand Cankers Disease is an invasive pest that infects black walnut trees. Cankers develop on the tree as a result of this fungal infection, which leads to death.
Diseases Affecting Black Walnut Tree Growth
Other foliar and root diseases may impact black walnut growth, in addition to thousand cankers disease.
Walnut anthracnose (Gnomonia leptostyla) Brown or black spots on black walnut leaves are caused by a foliar fungal infection. Premature leaf drop and misshapen tasteless nuts are symptoms of this disease. Rake up and destroy all contaminated leaves, and apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring to avoid future contamination.
Powdery mildew (Phyllactinia guttata) White flour appears to be sprinkled on the leaves. Damp surroundings or insufficient ventilation are the triggers for fungal leaf infection. Moreover, new leaves may wither and develop incorrectly. Prune the branches to improve air circulation to prevent powdery mildew on black walnut trees.
Walnut blight (Xanthomonas campestris) Unsightly black walnut tree leaves with dark brown and black patches are caused by a bacterial infection. Nuts may be harmed by the condition.