Juglans californica
naturally grows as a large shrub. It takes a little work to make the
California Walnut look like a tree, and to keep the suckers trimmed
off. Fortunately the fresh cut wood and foliage smell great. The California Walnut can grow up
to 50 feet tall, but is more commonly closer to 20-25 feet. Juglans
californica produces catkins in the spring
months, primarily in April and May. The California Walnuts are ready
to collect in mid August. If you are late to collect them they will
likely already be eaten by the squirrels. Juglans californica
has a beautiful yellow Fall display as it loses its leaves. The
walnuts are quite edible. The California walnuts are smaller than
the cultivated varieties and it will require much more effort to break
them open. The California Walnut grows on stream banks and on the margins
of oak woodlands. Juglans californica will do poorly if it is
planted in the shade of other trees.
High resolution images
of Juglans californica are available
