March 21 is celebrated as the International Day of Forests. The Society of American Foresters newsletter notes: “In 2025, ‘forests and foods’ is the theme for the day, celebrating the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. In addition to providing food, fuel, income and employment, forests support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators. They are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon.”
Today’s Nature Nugget features a tree near and dear to my heart. As a forester, I’ve always appreciated the black walnut (Juglans nigra). This lovely and valuable native species can be found throughout the eastern and central U.S. In a forest setting, it grows tall and straight with very few lower branches, which means few knots. Its close-grained wood has long been prized by furniture makers because it is easy to work and incredibly durable.
When I restored an old Sears & Roebuck cottage some years back, I pulled up a grungy carpet and discovered scuffed-up walnut floorboards. Refinished, the dark wood simply glowed, lending an elegant ambience to the country abode.
The nuts are sweet but, unlike the English walnut, they are hard to crack. I remember running over them with my car on a concrete driveway to make that job easier, but mostly it just made a mess. However, that doesn’t keep wildlife from enjoying them. The squirrels around here are well-fed.
Like most things in life, black walnuts have a down side. Their leaves, nutshells, and roots—which can spread fifty or more feet from the trunk—contain juglone, a natural herbicide. That means garden or landscape plants anywhere near the tree may not thrive, so use caution when planting in the vicinity. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying this fine shade tree—and its nuts.
Image by Hans from Pixabay
#blackwalnut #bestwood #squirrellove
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