How to identify English walnut (Juglans regia)

How to identify English walnut (Juglans regia)

English walnut, also known as Persian walnut, Madeira walnut

English walnut is a deciduous tree with a stature reaching 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) in height and an equivalent breadth. It is characterized by a spreading and rounded crown. Young bark presents as gray and smooth, transitioning to furrowed with a diamond-like ridge pattern as it matures. The foliage consists of odd-pinnately compound leaves, each 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) long with 5 to 11 oblong leaflets exuding a citrus scent when crushed. The reproductive elements include male catkins and cluster-forming female flowers. The edible nuts are encased in thin, wrinkled shells within green husks that mature to brown in fall.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify English walnut

Deciduous tree reaching 40-60 feet (12-18 meters) in height, with spreading rounded crown.

Odd-pinnately compound leaves, 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long, exuding citrus scent when crushed.

Male flowers in single-stemmed greenish-yellow catkins, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Round nuts in thin, brown husks surrounded by green, semi-fleshy cover as fruit.

Smooth stems with buff-colored pith, stout and growing up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of English walnut

Leaf Features

The leaves of english walnut are green, pinnately compound, and measure 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) long with entire margins, sometimes serrate. Each leaf has 5 to 11 oblong leaflets, including a terminal leaflet. The terminal leaflet is the largest, measuring 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) long. The leaves become progressively smaller toward the petiole. The undersides of the veins have tufts of hair. The leaves, fragrant when crushed, turn a poor to fair yellow in fall.

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Flower Features

The male flowers of english walnut are single-stemmed catkins up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, greenish-yellow in color, and pendulous in shape. The female flowers emerge in clusters of 3 to 9, as the leaves appear or immediately after, underlining the tree with a subtle green hue. They bloom from May to June. The female flowers are small, with reddish-purplish stigmas extending outward, enhancing their visibility and facilitating pollination.

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Stem Features

The stems of english walnut are stout and light brown in color, complemented by a buff-colored chambered pith. They exhibit large, broadly pointed terminal buds that are often paired and covered in fine hairs (pubescent). In contrast, the lateral buds are much smaller. The sturdy stems can grow to significant thickness, measuring approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, making them easily distinguishable in the landscape.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of english walnut is recognized by its characteristic round nut, typically measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, nestled within a green, semi-fleshy husk that ages to brown. Upon maturation in fall, this exterior husk relinquishes its hold, revealing the nut's very thin, wrinkled shell. Its outer surface is smooth and displays shallow furrows. Inside, the nut houses creamy white, sweet-tasting meat that offers a notable eating experience.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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English walnut and Their Similar Plants

Black walnut vs. English walnut: What's The Difference?

Black walnut is a large riparian zone tree native to North America. It is cultivated for nutritious walnuts and high-quality dark timber. Black walnut produces juglone, a compound that inhibits the growth of other plants in the black walnut tree’s proximity, so it may be undesirable near lawns and gardens. It is susceptible to a Thousand Cankers Disease.

Butternut vs. English walnut: What's The Difference?

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a species of walnut that is native to America. It is a deciduous tree that can grow to heights of 18 to 24 m with a rounded, wide-spreading canopy. In fall, it produces sweet oily butternuts that are delicious to eat. However, it is susceptible to fungal canker which has threatened the species in forests and natural settings.

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Key Facts About English walnut

Attributes of English walnut

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

20 m to 25 m

Flower Color

Green

Yellow

Fruit Color

Green

Stem Color

Silver

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of English walnut

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

Family

Walnut

Genus

Walnuts

Species

English walnut (Juglans regia)

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Distribution Map of English walnut

English walnut is native to most of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It has been introduced widely across southern and central Europe and into southeast Asia as far as Korea. It thrives in grasslands and in loose forests and is also widely cultivated for its nuts.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to English walnut How to Grow and Care for English walnut