Black Walnut identification
The Black Walnut Juglans nigra is a large deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America, where it is used for timber and produces edible nuts. It was introduced to Britain before 1656. It is an ornamental tree found in many large gardens in warmer areas.
Black Walnut identification – pinnate leaves with 10 to 23 toothed leaflets, green male catkins in May, green globular fruit in autumn, hairy buds, horseshoe-shaped leaf scar and bark with deep ridges.
The Walnut family Juglandaceae includes the genera Juglans (Walnuts), Carya (Hickories) and Pterocarya (Wingnuts). They are characterised by having pinnate leaves, male catkins and globular fruit. Some are grown for their timber or edible nuts and some as ornamental trees in large gardens.
Tree in September
The leaf is pinnate and has more leaflets than that of the Common Walnut. The pinnate leaf has 10 to 23 (usually 15) leaflets.
Close-up of a leaflet showing its fine teeth.
The bark has deep ridges
Male and female flowers are on the same tree. The male flowers are on a catkin. This photo shows a male catkin in early May
Male catkins later in May
A pair of fruits on the tree in October. Fruits grow singly or in pairs. Fruits are 3 to 5cm in diameter.
Buds are covered in white hairs. The leaf scars are unusual in that they have a horseshoe shape.