The Black Walnut grows very wide with large horizontal branches and is suitable only for large yards, acreages or farms where it makes a great climbing tree, but only for the second and successive generations. The tree is very long lived with some specimens living over 130 years.
The edible nuts (walnuts) that are produced are a favorite for both humans and squirrels alike, but although the nuts will make their first appearance when the tree is 5-6 years old often the tree has to be 20 years old or more before the first crop is produced.
The wood produced from the Black walnut is some of the most valuable in the world. Commonly used as a veneer, its also used for gunstocks, furniture and coffins. So precious is this wood that forestry officials in the United States have set up SWAT teams to thwart Black Walnut poachers
