BLACK WALNUT. 171 



100 feet high and 4 to 6 feet or more in diameter When 

 growing in the open it developes a round head and casts a 

 dense shade. 



Distribution. From western Massachusetts to southern 

 Minnesota and eastern Kansas, south to western Florida and 

 the valley of the San Antonio river in Texas. In Minnesota 

 formerly a common tree along the creek and river bottoms of 

 the southern part of the state and in a few locations is still 

 rather abundant. 



Propagation. By seeds which should be gathered in 

 autumn, kept stratified with moist leaves or sand over winter 

 and sown in the spring. Also grown to some extent by plant- 

 ing the seeds in autumn where the trees are to remain. The 

 varieties are grown by grafting. Old trees may be top grafted 

 like apple trees. 



Properties of wood. --Heavy, hard, strong, rather coarse 

 grained, easily worked and very durable in contact with the 

 soil. Color a rich, dark brown with a thin, light sapwood. 

 The finished wood has a satiny surface and will take a beauti- 

 ful polish. Specific gravity 0.6115; weight of a cubic foot 

 38.11 pounds. 



Uses The Black Walnut is frequently used for ornament- 

 al planting in the parks of the United States and Europe. In 

 this section, however, we reach the northern limit of its range 

 and find that it is not generally satisfactory when planted in 

 the open, but often does well in protected locations and on 

 deep alluvial soils. It can sometimes be used to advantage 

 in timber plantings in the southern half of Minnesota when 

 surrounded by some hardier tree to protect it from the wind. 

 It is liable to sunscald when the trunk is exposed in this 

 section. Many large plantations of this tree have been made 

 in Iowa, southern Minnesota and elsewhere. In good lo- 

 cations the young trees grow rapidly and soon make good, 

 durable fence posts or nut bearing trees. It is one of the 

 most valuable woods found in America and is largely used in 

 cabinet making, interior finishing, gun stocks, etc. and 

 formerly in boat building and for fence rails and posts for 

 which it was highly esteemed. This timber is now very scarce. 

 The nuts are much sought for and find ready sale. They are 

 oily and have a sweet, pleasant taste but become rancid with 



