Species PlantsBlack Walnut

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

CommonPlant
Illustration of Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Black Walnut is a large, stately tree of eastern bottomlands and rich upland slopes, producing the most valuable hardwood lumber of any native North American species. The hulls of its nuts contain juglone, a chemical that inhibits growth of many neighboring plants. Squirrels are the primary dispersers of its large nuts, often burying far more than they retrieve.

Habitat
Rich bottomlands, stream terraces, and mesic upland forests in eastern North America
Diet
Nuts are critical food for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and blue jays
How common
Common

Best time to see a Black Walnut

The best time to see a Black Walnut is July–October, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 30,630 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Black Walnut? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Black Walnut sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Black Walnut? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Black Walnut is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Black Willow
Black Willow
Salix nigra
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Blackbrush Acacia
Blackbrush Acacia
Acacia rigidula
Blackhaw
Blackhaw
Viburnum prunifolium
Blackjack Oak
Blackjack Oak
Quercus marilandica
Blackseed Plantain
Blackseed Plantain
Plantago rugelii
Bladder Sedge
Bladder Sedge
Carex intumescens
Blanketflower
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata