Plant · P-956

California Black Walnut

Juglans californica

California Black Walnut is a deciduous tree native only to coastal Southern California where it grows along streambanks and in oak woodland below about 2500 feet. It bears sweet-flavored nuts eaten raw or cooked and its spring sap can be tapped for syrup. It wants full sun and deep well-drained soil sheltered from strong wind and develops a deep taproot that resents disturbance once planted. Its roots and dense canopy release juglone and other compounds that suppress nearby apples tomatoes and members of the heath family so it needs siting away from juglone-sensitive plants.