THE WALNUTS 29 



The Southwestern Walnut 



Juglans rupestris, Engelm. 



The walnut of the Southwest grows into a spreading, lux- 

 uriant tree, where its roots find water. But on the canyon 

 sides, and higher on mountain slopes, it becomes a stunted 

 shrub, because of lack of moisture. 



The nut is smaller than that of the eastern walnuts and 

 has a thick shell, but the kernel is sweet and keeps its rich 

 flavor for a long time. The Mexicans and Indians are glad 

 to have this nut added to the stores they gather for their 

 winter food. 



One striking feature of this tree is the pale, cottony down 

 on its twigs, which sometimes persists three or four 

 years. The long limbs droop at the extremities, almost 

 deserving to be called "weeping." But nothing could 

 be more cheerful in color than the yellow-green foliage, 

 shining in the sun, against the white bark of the tree. 

 In autumn the foliage turns bright yellow. A speci- 

 men, much admired, grows in the Arnold Arboretum in 

 Boston. 



The California Walnut 



J. calif ornicuy Wats. 



The California walnut is a stocky, round-headed tree, 

 with heavy, drooping branches, and bark that is white and 

 smooth on hmbs and on trunks of young trees. Ultimately 

 the trunk turns nearly black, and i^ checked into broad, 

 irregular ridges. In bottom lands, along the courses of 

 rivers, back thirty miles from the coast, these trees are 



