Native Trees of Kentucky 



a. Black Walnut Juglans nigra. 



In the original hardwood forests of the State, the Black 

 Walnut was nowhere found in pure stands, but associated with 

 Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Basswood and Cherry. The natural 

 conditions for growth are the rich, low bottom lands or fertile 

 hillsides, which are protected from cold, destructive winds. In 

 these situations, the trunk lengthens into a tall shaft without 

 branches for a distance of from 50 to 60 feet. Because the wood 

 split easily and was durable, the early settlers cleared the timber 

 off ruthlessly for fence posts and rails; later, it was so extensively 

 cut for furniture, cabinet work and gun stocks that the present 

 stand in Kentucky is mostly a scattered second growth. In the 

 market it is priced with Mahogany ; a large, well grown forest 

 Walnut is worth more than the best acre of farm land. 



The word "feather" is the name applied to the cone-shaped 

 piece of figured wood in the crotch of a tree. The "feather" in 

 Walnut is highly prized as a material for fancy veneers in cabinet 

 work, and is especially used in the manufacture of high-priced 

 gun stocks. The burls or blisters, caused by abrasions or other 

 injuries in the bark of Walnut, are also valuable for special 

 veneers. Walnut roots are now carefully dug out and highly 

 prized for their beautiful figures by manufacturers of hardwood 

 veneers. 



The Walnut does not reproduce by suckers ; the stumps 

 sprout sparingly, but the seeds, if planted under favorable con- 

 ditions, grow rapidly. A tree 12 to 15 years old will begin to 

 bear nuts, and is large enough for fence posts. The foliage is 

 thin, appearing late in the spring and falling early in the autumn, 

 thus giving a good opportunity for a rich undergrowth of blue 

 grass for cattle in small plantations. 



Tree in the open, short, with massive symmetrical crown. 



Bark dark, rough, broadly furrowed. 



Leaves pinnately compound ; leaflets arranged in sessile pairs, 

 aromatic. 



Fruit an edible nut, enclosed in an aromatic, spongy, per- 

 sistent husk. 



