Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

[Millymollymandy]

Discovered there's a black walnut tree up the road here (hadn't even realised they grew in Europe! They were introduced in 1629).

So I have a number of these pleasant lime smelling green outer cases to deal with - then the fun of trying to crack the inner nut. Just going to do a few for fun as I've read that they have a 'superior' taste. Well we'll see!

[Durgan]

Discovered there's a black walnut tree up the road here (hadn't even realised they grew in Europe! They were introduced in 1629).

So I have a number of these pleasant lime smelling green outer cases to deal with - then the fun of trying to crack the inner nut. Just going to do a few for fun as I've read that they have a 'superior' taste. Well we'll see!

Wow.Periodically,I sit out in my greenhouse and crack a meal on a block of wood. I am getting pretty good at it, and get about 75 percent of the meat in large chunks. The first arrivals in America must have taken the black walnut to the UK in 1629, Maybe Smith and Pocahantas. The green clad shell does have a most pleasant odour.

[Millymollymandy]

It's funny because some neighbours brought one around for me to ID - they were most disappointed when I said I hadn't a clue! We all had a smell of the green 'fruit' and then I cut into it and we found there was a hard stone in the middle. Still didn't have a clue at that point.

They went away and cut it open properly (on the wife's chopping board which is now stained a nice yellow colour ) and after some googling found out what it was. When they told me I immediately thought of you and then checked in a tree book that I have and found that they do exist in Europe. They were introduced for the quality of the timber which is used in furniture and rifle stocks.

I've got them all out of the green bit and am drying them until I work out the best way to crack some open which I am looking forward to.

They do grow quite differently from the European/Persian walnut which opens up the green outer case and the nuts just drop on the ground making life a lot easier - when I went up the road to see the Black Walnut there were no leaves left on the tree but still some of the nuts on it and loads all over the road! Also the tree was tall but with a relatively slender trunk whilst 'our' walnuts grow very fat trunks very quickly and tend to be much wider trees. It's great though, I was really excited to discover it.

[Durgan]

Rub some of the outer walnut stain on your skin and you will be a red or purple Indian for about three weeks. When I handle the black walnuts in quantity I use an old pair of clothes, since the stain is almost permanent.

[Millymollymandy]

I have already learned that the hard way from our 'native' walnuts! Always wear gloves and if you're gonna kneel down to pick up the nuts wear really old jeans. They don't make a dark brown wood stain out of walnut husks for nothing.

Also I don't know if you have ever tried pickled walnuts (that might be a peculiarly British thing) but the green husks of the black walnut, when opened up, have a particular smell which reminded me of pickled walnuts!