These grow wild across the United States and are the second most cultivated walnut in North America, following English walnuts. They have a unique flavor and aroma, making them bolder and earthier than English walnuts. They’re a popular addition to recipes like baked goods and desserts.
This is a large deciduous tree typically growing 75-100’ (less frequently to 125’) tall with and an oval to rounded crown. Fall color is an undistinguished yellow. Nuts mature in autumn, falling to the ground where the husks blacken as they rot away. Kernels are edible but hard to extract.
It is native from Massachusetts through southern Ontario to South Dakota south to Florida and Texas.
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 75.00 to 100.00 feet
Spread: 75.00 to 100.00 feet
Medicinal use of
:
The bark and leaves are alterative, anodyne, astringent, blood tonic, detergent, emetic, laxative, pectoral and vermifuge. Especially useful in the treatment of skin diseases, black walnut is of the highest value in curing scrofulous diseases, herpes, eczema etc. An infusion of the bark is used to treat diarrhea and also to stop the production of milk, though a strong infusion can be emetic. The bark is chewed to allay the pain of toothache and it is also used as a poultice to reduce the pain of headaches. The juice from the fruit husk is applied externally as a treatment for ringworm. The husk is chewed in the treatment of colic and applied as a poultice to inflammations. The burnt kernels, taken in red wine, are said to prevent falling hair, making it fair. Green husks are supposed to ease the pain of toothache. A tea made from the leaves is astringent. An infusion has been used to lower high blood pressure. It can be used as a cleansing wash. The pulverized leaves have been rubbed on the affected parts of the body to destroy ringworm. The oil from the ripe seeds has been used externally in the treatment of gangrene, leprosy, and wounds. The sap has been used to treat inflammations.
Edible parts of :
Seed - raw or cooked. A sweet, rich distinctive delicious flavour it makes an excellent dessert nut and is also widely used in confections, cakes etc. The kernel is hard to extract and the oil it contains quickly turns rancid. The unripe fruits can be pickled. The seed is borne in solitary fruits or in pairs and is 3 - 4cm in diameter. The nuts can leave a permanent stain on clothing. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. A sweet taste but it tends to go rancid quickly. Used as a seasoning in bread, squash and other foods. The tree yields a sweet sap that can be drunk or concentrated into syrup or sugar. It is tapped in spring.