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The good, the bad, and the tasty: Indiana’s Black Walnut trees

Locals have lived alongside these native trees for hundreds of years, but it’s not always easy to share a backyard with the Black Walnut’s constantly falling fruits.

KCtoday_Black Walnut

Black walnut tree? More like money tree. | Photo via Canva

Autumn conjures images of apple picking and pumpkin patches, but there’s another native plant that deserves its moment in the sun: Black walnut trees.

Why should I care?

Every part of the Black Walnut tree has commercial uses in furniture, cosmetics, and most of all, food.

Folks wrestling with shells every time they mow are sitting on a tasty treasure trove.

KCtoday_Black Walnut

Here’s where to spot Juglans nigra, aka the eastern American black walnut. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

How to spot + where to hull

Seeing dollar signs yet? If you’re interested in sharing your local harvest, regional producers like Hammons Black Walnuts are ready to buy.

Here’s how to identify your haul:

  • Large leaves 1-2 feet long, made of 11-23 leaflets
  • A large, straight grayish-brown or black trunk
  • Distinctive spicy smell
  • And most importantly — green, round husks 1.5–2.5 inches across that enclose a dark brown or black nut

Peak harvest season is September through October. When you’re ready to go nuts, here are the nearby buying stations:

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