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Walnut – the many uses of Walnut trees in survival situations (including of course, eating the walnuts)

Walnut tree (Juglans species) identification

Walnut treeWalnuts grow on very large trees, often reaching 18 meters (54 feet) tall, with some growing as high as 40 meters (130 feet) tall. Walnut trees often have divided (split or forked) trunks with wide-spread crowns of foliage at the top of the tree.  Walnut trees have divided leaves, with feather patterned veins, which grow alternately on the branch, 9-15 leaflets per leaf, each leaf about 7-13 inches long. The leaves are narrow, oval to lance shaped, and somewhat curved, yellowish green on top and paler green underneath.  On males, the flowers are yellowish green catkins (2-3 inches long) hanging from the prior year’s twigs.  On female Walnut trees, the flowers occur on spikes either singly or in clusters of 2-3 flowers near the ends of the current year’s twigs.  The twigs of the Walnut are hollow with empty chambers on the inside.

Diagram of Walnut tree components including branch, leaves, nuts, and flowersThe walnut itself is single seeded, about 1-2 inches in diameter with a grooved, thick outer husk that must be removed to reach the hard, wrinkly, inner shell of the nut (which is in two halves).  The husks are initially green and leathery but turn brown when mature.  The bark of the Walnut tree is grayish brown with flat topped ridges.

Where to find Walnut trees in the wild

The English walnut, in the wild state, is found from southeastern Europe across Asia to China and is abundant in the Himalayas. Several other species of walnut are found in China and Japan. The black walnut is common in the eastern United States.

They are primarily found in North America, Europe, and Asia, with different species and varieties adapted to different climates and habitats. In North America, walnut trees can be found in the eastern United States, ranging from the Great Lakes region and New England in the north, down to Georgia and the Gulf Coast in the south. They are also found in California and other western states, where they were introduced during the Spanish colonial period.

In Europe, walnut trees are grown in countries such as France, Italy, and Romania, where they have been cultivated for centuries for their nuts and wood. They are also found in other parts of the continent, including the British Isles, the Balkans, and the Caucasus.

In Asia, walnut trees are found in China, Iran, and other countries in the region. They have been grown in China for thousands of years and are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Iran is also a major producer of walnuts, with the city of Qazvin being particularly famous for its high-quality nuts.

Edible parts of the Walnut TreeA husked walnut

The nut kernel ripens, and the husk hardens in the autumn. You extract the walnut meat by cracking the shell. Walnut meats are highly nutritious because of their protein and oil content and are rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Other for the Walnut Tree in survival situations

You can boil walnuts and use the juice as an antifungal agent. The husks of “green” walnuts produce a dark brown dye that can be used for clothing or camouflage. Crush the husks of “green” black walnuts and sprinkle them into sluggish water or ponds for use as fish poison.

Walnut tree identification picture guide

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