Walnut (Royal walnut)
Appearance: A tree that sheds its leaves for winter, with quite wide, spherical, vaulted crown. Its height often exceeds 25 meters. The trunk is usually already at a low height from the ground, divided into numerous, limbs more or less equally thick, They are arched upwards and divided into many smaller branches, often crooked and twisted. Bark in young trees smooth and gray, later cracked and furrowed, fairly clear, taupe. Younger twigs and shiny shoots, light grey. The donuts are squeezed. quite wide, dark brown tub almost black.
Torsion leaves, oddly pinnate have from 20 do 40 cm in length. Length up to. Oblong elliptical leaves with distinct petioles 15 cm and come in three or four pairs. At the top, the leaves are the largest, then they gradually decrease to the root. They are dull, a bit stiff and leathery, usually full-edges or only indistinctly serrated, slightly fragrant with turpentine when rubbed. Mono-tree species.
Male flowers in rather thick and long curled cats 3-10 cm, are yellow or yellow-green in color. Inconspicuous female flowers usually appear after 2-5 at the end of young shoots. They have yellow birthmarks.
A sheep of length 4-5 cm is oblong-spherical, green or yellowish.
Habitat; Prefers deep, rich in calcium, humus soil with a water supply evenly distributed throughout the year.
Occurrence: The walnut was originally found in the wild only in south-eastern Europe, in the Balkans. Today its natural range extends to Central Asia. It was introduced to other areas centuries ago and is now planted as an ornamental and utility tree almost everywhere, where winters are mild. Flowering period; April to May.
General thoughts: Tasty seeds of this tree, using correct botanical terminology, they are not nuts at all, treat with stone fruit stones (drupes). They contain fatty oil, which, after pressing, can also be used as cooking oil.