Black Walnut

Black walnut Juglans nigra is a large tree with strong-flavored kernels and very hard shells.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

600 in

First harvest

Grafted trees often 4–7 years; seedlings 8–15+ years

Tips

• Keep sensitive vegetables away from its root zone; wear gloves for staining hulls and use suitable shelling equipment.
• Choose nursery stock adapted to local hardiness, season length and disease pressure.
• Use cultivar- and rootstock-specific spacing rather than treating a planning value as universal.
• Water during establishment and avoid overcropping young plants.
• Plant away from buildings and allow generous space for roots and the mature canopy.
• Water deeply during dry periods, particularly while young trees establish and nuts fill.
• Base nitrogen applications on soil testing and growth rather than fertilizing routinely.
• Train a central leader with well-spaced limbs and monitor local walnut husk-fly or blight problems.
• Gather nuts as hulls split or fruit falls, remove hulls with gloves, and dry kernels thoroughly before storage.

Use local perennial planting guidance; spacing and bearing age vary with cultivar, nursery stock and training system.