Common Walnut

Highfield Park Tree Trail: Number 32

Latin/Botanical Name: Juglans regia

Range: Native to south-eat Europe and Asia, widely planted throughout Europe

Height: to 30m

Uses: Walnut was originally grown for its nuts and was introduced by the Romans for that purpose. Later it was grown for its timber, which is fine with a decorative, wavy grain.

Description: A broad tree with a rounded crown, bark is grey and smooth, leaves are pinnate with rounded leaflets, 3-4 pairs and one terminal. Long yellowish catkins appear in April, female flowers are green in clusters. The fruit is fleshy and egg shaped with the wrinkled walnut inside.

Interesting fact: The best wood is at the base of the tree, so walnuts are often dug up for timber, rather than felled.