Eastern Black Walnut - Juglans nigra

Phonetic: JOO-glanz NY-gruh

Trees are unavailable for shipment

1 Gallon Pot- 2.5-3'

Eastern black walnut, is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It prefers to grow in full sun and moist soil. While it can tolerate brief periods of drought, eastern black walnut grows best in sites with consistent moisture and good air circulation. Black Walnut releases a natural chemical called juglone from its roots and leaves, which can inhibit the growth of some nearby plants, allowing it to dominate its immediate growing area, shaping the plant community around it.

Eastern black walnut blooms in late spring, typically from April to June. The tree produces separate male and female flowers on the same plant—long, drooping catkins for the males and small, clustered flowers for the females. Pollination occurs primarily by wind rather than insects. By late summer the fertilized flowers mature into large, round nuts encased in thick green husks, which turn black as they ripen. The fruits drop from the tree in September and October, providing a nutritious food source for wildlife and humans alike.

Eastern black walnut plays a significant role in native ecosystems. It is a host plant for the Royal Walnut Moth as well as the Luna Moth. Its nuts are a rich source of protein and fats for squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and other mammals, many of which help disperse the seeds by caching them in the soil. The tree’s dense canopy provides habitat and nesting sites for wildlife, while its decaying leaves contribute nutrients back into the soil.

• Hardiness Zone: 4-9
• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
• Flower Color: Yellow, Green
• Bloom Time: May, June
• Soil Type: Medium, Moist
• Mature Plant Size: 50-75'H, 50-70'W
• Plant Spacing: '40'
• Host Plant: Luna Moth, Royal Walnut Moth
• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Birds
• Advantages: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
• Landscape Uses: Borders
• Companion Plants: Elderberry, American Hazelnut, Wild Columbine