Bark of Eastern Black Walnut

Photo of Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Taken on Jun. 28, 2018

This tree is growing along a trail along the railroad track in a mostly-mowed area, but is probably a wild tree, not planted, as these trees are abundant and most of the trees along this stretch of trail are wild.

Location

Ecoregion

Photographer & Copyright

CC BY-SA 4.0

Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 2 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Eastern Black Walnut and Butternut

Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) vs. Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Updated July 28th, 2020

These plants are notoriously difficult to tell apart, but mature trees can be easily distinguished by nut shape or bark, and leaf scars can usually distinguish even smaller trees. Leaf shape and leaflet count partially overlaps but can be used for identification in many cases. Due to a canker disease, butternut has become much less common where these species' ranges overlap.

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collage of Eastern Black Walnut and Tree of Heaven

Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) vs. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Updated October 31st, 2019

These trees are sometimes confused due to a similar shape to their compound leaves, and propensity to grow in sunny, disturbed habitats around human habitation, but they are easily distinguished if you know what to look for.

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