Black Walnut

How to sow black walnut: Transplant grafted sapling or direct seed

Sun requirement for black walnut: Plant in Full Sun

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The Black Walnut is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Like other walnut species, it has a broad crown and short trunk and needs full sunlight to grow well. Black Walnuts have a stronger aroma and taste than English walnuts, making them well-suited to desserts and baked goods. They are slightly higher in protein and lower in fat than English Walnuts, and their shells are thicker and more difficult to crack. Trees have smaller leaflets than English Walnuts and smooth bark that is olive-green or gray. Black Walnut trees have deep brown wood that is easily worked, and are often grown for lumber and nuts simultaneously. Walnuts are dioecious, meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same tree and are therefore self-pollinating. However, the flowers do not always bloom at the same time. This problem can be solved by planting another walnut cultivar upwind whose catkins shed pollen at the same time the female flowers of the primary tree are open. Walnuts, like Hickories, contain a chemical called juglone, which inhibits the growth of many other plants. They are also difficult to grow other plants with because mature trees use a lot of water and shade large areas around them. The plants listed as companion plants can tolerate juglone. Grafted trees will begin to produce fruit one year after transplanting. Trees grown from seed will take 8-10 years to begin bearing fruit and may not bear true to the parent if trees have been cross-pollinated. Trees take 20 years to reach peak production and can live for up to 130 years. Black Walnuts produce fruit more heavily some years than others. Direct seeding is most effective when seeds are sown outdoors in autumn. Winter temperatures will break the seed's dormancy. If starting from seed indoors, pre-soak, scarify, and cold-stratify before planting to break dormancy.