A native to eastern north America but introduced to Europe in 1629. It is a vigorous grower producing a dark, heavily ridged bark and its timber is heavy, strong and very durable and valuable. From late May to early June, it has male and female flowers, the male being long, 8 - 10cm (3 - 4ins) catkins which droop individually from the branches and the female flowers appear in clusters.

Nuts form in autumn in very hard shells which are encased in brownish-green plum-like fruits. The hard shells protect them from hungry squirrels. The leaves which are up to 60cm (2ft) long have 7 to 9 pairs of leaflets and these are generally smaller and narrower than those of the Common Walnut, Juglans regia. The leaves are aromatic when crushed. Its roots contain a growth inhibiting chemical which prevents many other plants growing near it.

It grows best in the warmer regions of England in a fertile, lowland soil and thrives where there is plenty of light. A broad headed tree which will reach between 30 and 40 metres.

TREE 9 x 7m (30 x 2.1ft) in 20 years, ultimate height 30 - 40m (100 - 130ft).

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