Juglans nigra, L.

Form.—Height 60-100 feet, diameter 2-6 feet; trunk usually straight and clean; crown round and very open.

Leaves.—Alternate, compound, 1-2 feet long, 13-23 leaflets, 3-3½ inches long, 1-1¼ inches broad, sharply serrate, long, sharp-pointed, yellow-green and smooth above, paler and pubescent beneath.

Flowers.—May, with half developed leaves; monoecious; staminate flowers in long, greenish, drooping catkins; the pistillate single or several in a spike.

Fruit.—Matures in autumn, nut round, very rough, 1-2 inches in diameter; husk thick, rough; kernel sweet, edible, oily.

Bark.—Brownish and hairy on twigs, dark brown on old trunks, with deep furrows and rounded ridges.

Wood.—Hard, heavy, strong, close-grained, rich dark brown with light-colored sapwood.

Range.—Northern states from Maine to Minnesota and south to Florida.

Distribution in West Virginia.—Common in all parts of the State, but not found at high elevations. The best stands are now cut out.

Habitat.—Prefers rich, moist soils, and requires an abundance of light.

Notes.—The Black Walnut is classed as one of the most valuable of our trees on account of its superior wood. It is also prized on account of its nuts and is sometimes planted on lawns. Where suitable land is available this rapid-growing species may be profitably planted for commercial purposes.