Native Tree · Woodland · Hedgerow

Fall

Black walnut is a native tree with long compound leaves, dark furrowed bark, and round nuts enclosed in thick green hulls. The flavorful nuts are protected by shells much harder to crack than those of English walnuts.

The staining hulls have long been used for brown dyes and inks, and were traditionally applied to fungal skin complaints. These historical uses are not proven medical treatments.

Black walnut also produces juglone, a natural chemical that can inhibit some sensitive plants. Its effects vary with species, soil, drainage, and distance from the tree. Rather than simply poisoning the ground, the walnut helps define its ecological neighborhood.