THE BLACK WALNUT 



IN its best estate the Black Walnut is a magnificent tree. In open situations it attains 

 a great size, in trunk as well as in spread of branches. Wherever it grows it is known 

 by its very characteristic fruit, which is different from that of any other American 

 tree, the large, hard-walled nuts being enclosed in a thick green husk that falls from the 

 trees in October and which when bruised has a characteristic aromatic odor. 



In winter the twigs of this species are easily distinguished from those of the Butter- 

 nut by the absence of the fringe of hairs across the end of the leaf-scar, as well as by the 

 light brown pith of the twigs. The bark of these twigs is slightly pubescent and generally 

 of a brownish or grayish brown color. The leaf -scars are somewhat heart-shaped and the 

 buds are covered with thick, dark brown, downy scales. The flowers appear in May when 

 the leaves are unfolding, and closely resemble those of the Butternut. The compound 

 leaves often attain a great length, the leaflets being sessile or nearly so and having their 

 margins regularly serrate. The leaves have a distinctly aromatic odor when bruised. 



The northern range of the Black Walnut extends from central New England west 

 to Ontario and Minnesota, while its southern range extends from Florida west .to Missis- 

 sippi and Texas. Like so many other trees the species reaches its greatest development in 

 the valley of the Ohio river, where specimens one hundred and fifty feet high and eight 

 feet in diameter of trunk have frequently been found. It was these large trees that fur- 

 nished the Black Walnut lumber which was formerly so highly prized in the manufacture 

 of furniture and which is now very difficult to obtain. 



As an ornamental tree the Black Walnut has the disadvantage that it comes into 

 leaf rather late in spring and sheds its foliage somewhat early in autumn. It is best fitted 

 for situations not too near buildings, where there is abundant room for it to develop 

 and where the falling catkins, leaves, and nuts will not be objectionable. Aside from 

 certain caterpillars which occasionally partially defoliate it, the tree has comparatively 

 few enemies. 



Two other native species of walnuts occur in the United States. The Southwestern 

 Walnut (Juglans rupestris) is a spreading tree or shrub which occurs in Arizona, Texas, 

 and New Mexico. It bears small nuts with thick shells and sweet kernels. The California 

 Walnut {Juglans Calif ornica) is a rather small tree or shrub which occurs along the coast 

 of California. It also bears small nuts with sweet kernels, and shells thinner than those of 

 the other species. The species is commonly used as a grafting stock for the English or 

 Persian Walnut. 



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