The black walnut (Juglans nigra), is an economically important tree belonging to the Juglandaceae family. It is also commonly known as eastern black walnut and hickory. This arboreal species reaches about 35 m in height, has compound leaves, male flowers in catkins and female flowers in terminal spikes. The fruits contain a hard walled nut.
It is a monoecious heterodicgam tree (the functions of the male and female flower structures are temporally separated). It is distributed mainly in North America, although it can also be found in some European countries.
Black walnut is one of the rarest and most coveted hardwoods in America. The nuts produced by this tree have a very particular and distinctive flavor, which is why they are in high demand in the pastry, baked goods and ice cream industries; This yes, they can be harvested before the squirrels do.
Article index
It is a tree about 35 m tall, with scaly bark and brown or gray in color. It has branches covered with trichomes.
The leaves of the black walnut are 30 to 60 cm long, have between 15 and 25 ovate-lanceolate leaflets that are each 7.5 to 12.5 cm long, are acuminate and their edge is serrated..
Regarding pubescence, the upper surface is devoid of trichomes, and the underside is pubescent, especially on the central nerve. The leaves are yellowish-green.
Walnut has yellowish-green male flowers arranged in slender catkins that grow on axillary shoots. The female flowers are grouped in short terminal spikes and may appear several times on the shoots during the year. Trees reach reproductive maturity between 20 and 30 years.
Pollen dispersal is through the wind. Normally, pollination occurs thanks to pollen from neighboring trees.
The fruits of Juglans nigra they can be solitary or formed in pairs, they measure 3 to 5 cm in diameter, are globose in shape, yellowish-green in color, form grooves when mature, and harbor a hard-walled nut.
The dispersal of the fruits and seeds occurs thanks to rodents, especially squirrels that are the main animals that feed on nuts. On the other hand, fruits with viable seed can float on water, so they can also disperse long distances through hydrochoria..
-Kingdom: Plantae
-Phylum: Tracheophyta
-Class: Magnoliopsida
-Order: Fagales
-Family: Juglandaceae
-Gender: Juglans
-Species: Juglans nigra L.
Some synonyms for black walnut are: Juglans pitteursii Y Wallia nigra.
Black walnut is a widely distributed species in deciduous forests of eastern North America. It develops in favorable places like Canada, Ontario, Kansas, New Jersey, and Florida. This tree can also be present in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Romania, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Ukraine and some more.
The black walnut is a pioneer species, intolerant to shade, and in natural conditions its longevity is around 250 years. It is often found in places that are close to water sources, but have deep, well-drained soils with high fertility or organic matter..
The type of soils it adapts to are Alfisols and Entisols, derived from limestone. The black walnut grows best in sandy loam or silty loam soils since during the dry period they keep water available for the tree.
Generally, it is associated with species such as white oak, black oak, northern red oak, yellow poplar, white ash, black cherry, sugar maple, species of Quercus, among others.
On the contrary, the toxic effect that black walnut has on other plants has been recognized. In this sense, Juglans nigra inhibits the growth of species such as birch, red pine, white pine, scots pine, apple and tomato.
Different structures of black walnut produce beneficial effects on human health. Parts such as the bark and leaves are used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, detergent, laxative, expectorant and vermifuge.
It is a special plant for treating skin diseases such as herpes or eczema. The bark of this tree is also used to treat diarrhea and to stop milk production. A very concentrated infusion can work as emetic.
The bark is chewed to reduce toothache, and is also used as a poultice to relieve headaches and colic. The extract of the peel of the fruit is applied to the skin to treat diseases caused by parasitic fungi, and for this effect the powdered leaves are also applied to the affected area..
On the other hand, the grains are burned and added to red wine to be ingested and thus prevent hair loss.
With the leaves you can prepare a tea that works as an astringent, also to control hypertension, as well as to perform washes.
Also, the oil from the seeds is used externally to treat gangrene, leprosy or skin wounds. The sap produced by this tree is used to treat inflammations.
The seed, whether raw or cooked, has a sweet and delicious flavor, it is used as a nut in desserts, cakes, sweets, etc..
Immature fruits are good for pickles. Walnuts, shells, and bark can serve as natural dyes. The seeds are also processed to obtain an edible oil.
Also, walnuts are used as a condiment for bread, squash, or other foods. The sap of the black walnut is very sweet and is used as a drink or to prepare syrup.
On the other hand, the shells can be processed and turned into very good quality charcoal, which is then used as a filter. The woody shells of the fruits are used to make garments.
Extracts from black walnut and leaves are used as repellants for insects such as flies, bed bugs, and fleas. In addition, the leaves have allelopathic properties, since through the rain, these substances are carried to the ground and inhibit the growth of plants under the tree..
Its wood is very ornamental, durable, strong and heavy. It is easy to work with, it does not warp and it polishes very well. This wood is one of the most sought after in North America, in fact, there are areas where the exploitation of this tree for this purpose is allowed. It is used to make cabinets, interior finishes, furniture, boat construction, veneers, among others..
Yet No Comments