Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Black Walnut is a valuable addition to food forests and ecological systems for its multi-functionality. Its nuts provide a nutrient-dense food source for humans and wildlife, while its timber offers sustainable building material. The tree’s juglone production can be utilized to manage weed growth, and its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and improves soil structure. As a long-lived, resilient species, Black Walnut contributes to the biodiversity and productivity of sustainable landscapes

Black Walnut trees grow quickly in their early years, developing a straight trunk and an open, rounded crown. Their compound leaves create dappled shade, and they produce small, green-husked nuts in late summer to early fall. The tree is deeply rooted, helping to stabilize soil and draw nutrients from deep layers. Over decades, the tree matures into a towering presence, often becoming a centerpiece in the landscape.

Size at Maturity- Grows to 50-75 feet tall with a spread of 50-75 feet in the open. Narrower spread in a forest

Current Size- 1'-2' 1 year old seedlings

The Black Walnut has been cherished for centuries for its versatile uses and economic value. Its dense, chocolate-brown hardwood is highly sought after for fine furniture, flooring, and cabinetry, making it one of the most valuable timber trees in North America. The nuts are rich in flavor, high in protein, and used in both culinary dishes and oil production. Black Walnuts are a staple food for wildlife, including squirrels and birds, and their fallen leaves improve soil organic matter. However, the tree produces juglone, a natural chemical that suppresses the growth of certain plants, which can be strategically leveraged in permaculture to reduce weed competition.

-Sap can be boiled to make syrup
-Lives longer than 200 years
-Dead trees are great wildlife habitat