Juglans regia | Common Walnut | English Walnut

The Juglans regia, native to south east Europe and south west China, was introduced to the UK by the Romans. This is a deciduous tree with a broad, wide-spreading crown and short trunk. In late spring to early summer, green, pinnate leaves with 5-9 paired leaflets appear. These leaves differ from the Juglans nigra as there are fewer of them, and they are more oval in shape, and smooth with un-toothed edges. The Juglans regia leaves turn golden-yellow in Autumn. The bark is smooth and olive green when young, turning silver-grey with maturity. Has male, yellow catkins, 10cm long and small clusters of 2-3 inconspicuous flowers that develop into fruit with a green fleshy husk and brown wrinkled walnut, late summer and autumn. The walnuts are edible and an excellent source of nutrients, in particular proteins and essential fatty acids. They are a favourite with squirrels and other mammals. However, the tree will not start producing Walnuts until it is 15 years old. The Juglans regia will grow in any well-drained soil and tolerates exposed positions, although it prefers full sun. This is a classic specimen tree.