24 



Cornell Junior Extension Bulletin 26 



15. BLACK WALNUT 

 (Juglans nigra Linnaeus) 



Black walnut is one of the most valuable timber trees native to this 

 State. It reaches a large size and produces highly prized wood and 

 Large edible nuts. It is common at low elevations in rich, well-drained 



BLACK WAI.Xl'T 

 Leaf, one-fifth natural size ; twig, three-fourth's nat- 

 ural sizt- : fruit, one-third natural size 



bottomlands northward to Saratoga ami Jefferson Counties and west to 

 Lake Erie. The wood is heavy, hard, strong, durable, rich dark brown 

 in color, easily worked, and takes a fine polish. It is largely used in cabi- 

 net-making, interior trim, and for gunstocks. It deserves protection and 

 planting in suitable locations. 



Bark — thick, dark, deeply furrowed with rounded ridges between; 

 grayish brown in color ; inner bark dark chocolate brown in color. 



Twigs — at first hairy, later smooth, stout, orange brown in color, Light 

 brown chambered pith. 



Winter buds — terminal bud pale, downy, scarcely longer than broad, 

 blunt-pointed, less than j ;; inch long; lateral buds less than ' , ; inch Long. 



Leaves — alternate, compound, with from 13 to 23 leaflets; leaflets from 

 3 to 4 inches Long, sharp-pointed, serrate along margin, usually stalk- 

 less ; leaves up to 2 feet in length. 



Fruit — a round nut. l 1 /^ inches in diameter, black, the surface 

 roughened by rather coarse ridges, enclosed in a yellowish green, fleshy, 

 husk-, usually solitary or in clusters of 2. ripening in October. Kernel — 

 sweet, edible, and when properly cured somewhat easier to extract than 

 i he butternut. It is necessary to remove the outer husk if nuts are to be 

 stored. 



