Appearance

Growth form

It is a broad deciduous tree that can reach about 66 ft (20 m), sometimes with several main stems.

Leaves

The large compound leaves carry 7–17 toothed leaflets. Fine hairs may show along the veins underneath.

Flowers

Male flowers hang in long catkins, while female flowers stand in short clusters near shoot tips.

Fruit

The green husk encloses a large, thick-shelled nut with deep ridges and pointed ends. It is edible, but the shell is difficult to open.

Look-alikes

Tree-of-heavenAilanthus altissima

Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) leaflets are mostly smooth-edged, with one or two gland-tipped teeth near the base. Manchurian walnut leaflets are toothed along the edge, and the tree bears large husked nuts instead of winged seeds.

Why they get mixed up · Both can have very large leaves with many leaflets along a central stalk.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• moist mountain valleys in its native range

Range

It is native to northeastern Asia, including Korea and northeastern China. In the United States, it is grown in botanical collections.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil. It is generally listed for USDA hardiness zone 5.

Growing it

Care

Give it room for a broad crown and large leaves. It prefers steady moisture but not waterlogged soil.

Propagation

The species grows from seed; stored seed needs a cold, moist period before spring germination.

Name and classification

About the name

Manchurian walnut has also been called Juglans cathayensis. Some botanists include Japanese walnut (Juglans ailantifolia) within this species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed