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Walnut Trees are trees in the Juglans genus of the walnut family. Pecan trees are also members of the walnut family. There are 21 species in the Juglans genus. Two of them are native to Woodland, and two others are planted by the city government.
Walnut trees and other members of the walnut family produce a chemical calledjuglone, which is harmful to many other types of plants. This protects the walnut tree from being outcompeted. If you are gardening near a walnut tree, you can find lists of juglone-tolerant plants to help you figure out how to have a successful garden under and near the tree.
Walnut Street and Walnut Woods Court in Woodland are both named for our local walnut trees.
Native to Woodland
Northern California Black Walnut (Juglans hindsii) is a deciduous tree native to Woodland and to all of Yolo County except for a rain shadow just east of the Yolo County foothills. It usually grows 50 to 75 feet tall and equally wide. It typically develops a single trunk that doesn't branch for at least its first ten feet. It prefers full sun and is equally likely to grow in wetlands or in dry areas. Northern California Black Walnut, or sometimes a hybrid between it and the English Walnut, is commonly used as rootstock for commercial walnut orchards, with English Walnut grafted onto it. The walnuts produced by Northern California Black Walnut have excellent flavor in their own right, but their shells are considerably more difficult to crack open than English Walnut shells are, and that is the main reason they are very rarely farmed. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Northern California Black Walnut is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about March through June, so if you suffer from hay fever during those months and live near a Northern California Black Walnut tree, the tree could be the culprit. It is planted as a street tree on East Street and also grows along Highway 16 on the edge of Woodland.
Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica) is a deciduous tree native to Woodland, Davis, the land in between them, the northern half of West Sacramento, the north slopes of the Dunnigan Hills and the land north of them, and the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It usually stays under 30 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It usually grows in dry areas, only occasionally in wetlands. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Southern California Black Walnut is ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause severe hay fever. It typically blooms in April and May, so if you suffer from hay fever during those months and live near a Southern California Black Walnut tree, the tree could be the culprit.
Non-Native
Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree from the eastern United States. It usually grows 100 feet tall or more. In 20 years, it might grow to 35 feet tall. It prefers full sun and grows only in fairly dry areas. It has high water needs but also requires good drainage, so it usually does not grow in wetlands. Still, it has a low tolerance for drought. The walnuts produced by Eastern Black Walnut have excellent flavor in their own right, but their shells are considerably more difficult to crack open than English Walnut shells are, and that is the main reason they are very rarely farmed. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Black Walnut is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause fairly severe hay fever. Eastern Black Walnut is planted in City Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Sports Park. It is also planted as a street tree on 2nd Street.
English Walnut (Juglans regia) is a deciduous tree from Asia. It is the tree from which commercially farmed walnuts are usually grown. It usually grows 80 to 120 feet tall. It prefers full sun. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. English Walnut is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause fairly severe hay fever. English Walnut is planted in John Ferns Park. It is also planted as a street tree on Beamer Street, Elm Street, and Pershing Avenue.
