Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Black Walnut Tree, Juglans nigra, is a stately deciduous tree that is native to Central and Eastern North America. Black Walnut is known and highly prized for its edible nuts and its exceptionally beautiful, dark-grained wood. Black Walnut shells are currently used in a range of commercial applications. Trees can reach heights up to 130 ft with canopy spreads of 50 ft. They grow strong and slowly, and are known to have a lifespan of over 250 years.
Black Walnut Trees are valuable large shade trees and will thrive when planted in sunny locations; give them plenty of room to grow their wide canopy. Trees will generally produce a large crop of nuts after 10 years. The nuts are prized and used in favorite recipes, and in cocktails and are a valuable wildlife food source.
Black Walnut Tree Care
Black Walnut Trees are adaptable to many soil types and require full-sun locations. Mature trees typically have long straight trunks with an absence of lower branches. They reach for the sunlight, so plant this tree in an area where it is not competing for resources.
Yellow-green flowers appear in late spring; the male flowers are drooping catkins and the female flowers are short terminal spikes. Female flowers create edible nuts in the fall. Black Walnut Trees are relatively low maintenance and do not require pruning unless damaged or dead branches need to be removed.
When planting a young Black Walnut Tree, consider using a tree guard to protect the trunk from deer rubbing their antlers in the fall, which could damage the young bark. Apply a few inches of natural mulch around the root base after planting, this will help protect the root system from harsh winters and help retain soil moisture.
Black Walnut Tree Spacing
Due to their large size and canopy spread, grow a Black Walnut Tree with plenty of room around it to avoid competing for sunlight and soil nutrients. Best planted out on a larger property in a landscape that has enough space for it to thrive. Plant Black Walnut Trees away from sidewalks, driveways, and foundations, as their root system is strong and could create issues.
Black Walnut Tree Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 80-130 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 40-50 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Blooms On
-
Both New and Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Lightly, right after the first flush of flowers
- Harvest Time
- 70-80 days after transplant
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Black Walnut Tree
- Also Known As
- Black Walnut
- Botanical Name
- Juglans nigra - Eastern Black Walnut
- Plant Type
- Tree
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!