Walnut, Little Texas

The Little Walnut, also known as the Texas Black Walnut, typically reaches heights between 20 and 30 feet. The Little Walnut grows naturally in the Wichita Mountains along rocky stream bottoms or in canyons. The small tree may be grown as a shrub, generally multi-stemmed, and has a very open crown.

The alternate, odd-pinnately compound LEAVES are 9-12 inches long, each containing 11-25 leaflets. Each leaflet is an ovate shape and has tiny teeth along the edges. The leaflet has a round base and tapers down to a sharp point at the apex. When the leaf is young it is covered in tiny hairs, but becomes smooth as it matures. The upper surface of the leaf is a dark yellowish green color with the underside being a bit paler. When crushed the leaves give off a sweet smelling aroma.

In the spring, staminate catkins and pistillate FLOWERS appear. The slender catkins overgrow those from the previous year while the flowers have new growth. The catkins are 2-4” in length and quite hairy when young. The pistillate oblong catkins are greenish red and grow either solitary or in groups.

The FRUIT is in the form of a smooth, brown sphere. The 1/2-3/4” wide fruit grows in clusters of 2-3 or it can grow by itself. The shell of the fruit is thick and fibrous and does not split open when mature. Inside the fruit is a small, globose-ovoid shaped nut. The SEED is deeply grooved longitudinally and has a sweet, oily taste to it.

The dark brown to grayish BARK has deep fissures. The TWIGS are an orange-red color and covered in tiny soft hairs.

Nuts from the Little Walnut are enjoyed as food by WILDLIFE and humans. The wood is used in several different wood products, such as furniture and cabinets.