Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

The leaves of the pinnately compound (like a feather) with 13 to 23 leaflets.  They are quite large, often measuring 60 cm (2 ft.) in length.  While the leaf does produce a single terminal leaflet (at the end), this leaflet is usually missing. 

The black walnut is a large tree, growing from 15 m to 23 m (50 to 75 ft.). It has an open and round-topped crown that is easily recognized from a distance.  Its fruit is encased in a fleshy hull, which must be removed to get the nut.

Black walnut is one of the most highly prized of the timber trees.  The wood is a rich, dark brown and is heavy, hard, strong, close-grained and very durable.  Since early colonial days it has been considered the queen of American cabinet woods. 

The hulls around the nuts were used as dye by the pioneers.