# northern California black walnut (*Juglans hindsii*) The northern California black walnut is a tall tree with big leaves and tasty nuts. It grows in sunny places and is loved by many animals who eat its nuts. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![northern California black walnut](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Juglans_hindsii%252C_Effie_Yeaw_Nature_Center%252C_Carmichael%252C_California_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: sarahangulo, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juglans_hindsii%252C_Effie_Yeaw_Nature_Center%252C_Carmichael%252C_California_1.jpg) ## Appearance The northern California black walnut is a stately deciduous tree known for its rugged, deeply furrowed bark that darkens with age. It has large, pinnately compound leaves and produces round, green nuts enclosed in a thick husk that turns brown as it matures. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Juglandaceae - **Genus:** Juglans ## Interesting facts - Its strong wood is prized for making beautiful furniture and gunstocks. - Native Americans traditionally used its husks to make dark brown dye. - The nuts are so hard, some squirrels struggle to crack them open! - This tree can live for over a century, standing tall for generations! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Defense:** The northern California black walnut can release a special chemical called juglone that stops other plants from growing too close, giving it space to thrive. - **Deep Drinker:** It has a super-long taproot that can reach far down into the soil to find water, helping it survive dry spells. - **Tough Seed Package:** Its nuts are protected by a very hard shell, helping the seeds stay safe and sprout later, even if they're buried. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 900-2300 cm - **Spread:** 900-1800 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — relies on the nutritious nuts for food - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browses on young leaves and shoots - **Eats:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — cracks open nuts and disperses seeds - **Shelter:** [Western Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-kingbird) (*Tyrannus verticalis*) — builds nests in its sturdy branches ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not eat the nuts without asking an adult, as some nuts can be tricky! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify northern California black walnut? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is northern California black walnut? 900-2300 cm ### How wide does northern California black walnut spread? 900-1800 cm ### When does northern California black walnut bloom? Spring ### Is northern California black walnut edible? Yes ### Is northern California black walnut toxic? Mild ### What is northern California black walnut's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is northern California black walnut pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Caswell Memorial State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caswell-memorial-state-park) — California, US · State Park - [Heatherlark Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heatherlark-park) — California, US · Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [northern California black walnut Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-california-black-walnut)