There are ten species of walnuts found in the world, the most important 

 commercially being the Eastern black walnut, which is found from Massa- 

 chusetts and Minnesota south to Texas and Florida. It reaches a maximum 

 height of 1 50 feet with a trunk diameter of four to six feet. Under best condi- 

 tions it lives to be 250 years old. 



CALIFORNIA BLACK WALNUT 



California black walnut (Juglans californica) is a native tree which is 

 found along streams in southern and central California. In southern Cali- 

 fornia it usually branches near the ground and has a shrub-like habit. A tree 

 is reported in Ojai Valley, Ventura County, which has a crown diameter of 

 ninety-two feet and a trunk circumference at the base of fourteen feet five 

 inches. Even this large tree has a shrub-like habit since all of the lower limbs 

 creep on the ground. 



On the banks of the lower Sacramento River this tree forms tall, round- 

 headed trees forty to sixty feet high, with a diameter of one or two feet. This 

 tree is now known as Juglans hindsii and is regarded as specifically different 

 from the southern California tree. Some of the best specimens are found 

 growing along Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County. Both these localities 

 are near ancient Indian village sites, and since there is a wide gap in the dis- 

 tribution of the walnut between these localities and those in southern Cali- 

 fornia, Jepson thinks that the nuts were brought north and planted either by 

 the Indians or the first European settlers. 



The California black walnut makes an excellent roadside tree since it 

 grows rapidly into a symmetrical tree which affords an abundance of shade. 

 The handsome, pinnate, glossy leaves add much to its attractive appearance. 

 The nuts are ripe in October, but the kernel, although very palatable, is 

 difficult of extraction because of the thickness of the shell. The tree is best 

 suited for wide roads where its spreading habit and sturdy growth are most 

 effective. It is rather difficult to transplant, and needs a deep, rich soil for 

 its best development. Under favorable conditions it reaches a height of 

 seventy-five feet. 



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