Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

Dimensions:

• Height: 50’ - 90’

• Mature spread: 50’ - 75’

• Trunk Diameter: 3’ - 6’

Habitat and Range:

• found along roadsides, fields, and forest edges

• grows best in well-drained bottom land of rivers and streams

• found in most Kentucky counties

Features:

• becoming scarce and in high demand; one of the most durable hardwoods used for furniture, paddles, and coffins

• shade intolerant

• releases chemicals toxic to surrounding vegetation; a natural herbicide

• the round nuts are tasty and nutritious

• shells of the nuts are ground and sold as an industrial abrasive cleaner

History:

• one of the most coveted tree species in American history due to its many uses

• fresh leaves were used by early European settlers to spread around a house to repel bed bugs

• a brownish-black dye made from the fruit was used to dye hair

• a crushed nuts and bear grease mixture was used by Native Americans as a mosquito repellent