Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Native hardwood nut tree prized for both high-value timber and edible nuts. Black walnut thrives on deep, well-drained bottomland soils common in the growing region. Dual-income potential from nut harvesting and long-term timber value.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- Apr - May – Apr - May
- Harvest
- Sep - Oct – Sep - Oct
- Frost-free days
- 170+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 2,000 – 2,600
Yield
- Typical yield
- 1,250 lbs in-shell nuts/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 75 years
- Years to full prod.
- 15
- Labor
- 35 hrs/acre
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Hammons Products and regional hulling stations actively buy black walnuts in Ohio/PA.
Price Trend Stable/Up
Hulled nut prices at $6-9/lb, trending up; timber prices at historic highs.
Supply Below Demand
Wild harvest is declining; cultivated supply cannot meet growing specialty demand.
Multiple Buyer Channels
Nut buyers, timber buyers, direct retail, specialty food, and export markets.
Value-Added Potential
Black walnut oil, confections, ice cream flavoring, plus high-value timber and veneer.
Market Growth Projected
Growing demand for specialty nuts and sustainable timber; artisanal food trend supports nut market.
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Black walnut hardy Zones 4-9; native to the this region.
GDD Sufficient
Regional 2200-2800 GDD meets the 2000+ GDD requirement.
Precipitation Compatible
Regional 35-45 inches within 35-65 inch requirement.
Frost-Free Season OK
Regional 160-200 frost-free days meets the 170-day optimum.
Chill Hours Met
Regional 800-1200 chill hours well within 400-1500 range.
Climate Trend Favorable
Warming trends extend growing season; black walnut adapts across wide range.
Soil Compatibility
Soil Texture
Drainage
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Nut harvesting can use modified pecan equipment; minimal specialized gear needed.
Storage Available
In-shell nuts store well in cool, dry conditions for months; standard warehousing adequate.
Irrigation Compatible
Generally rain-fed in this region; supplemental irrigation optional.
Field Layout Suitable
Wide spacing (30-40 ft) suits alley cropping and agroforestry layouts.
Labor Availability
Relatively low labor requirements at 35 hrs/acre; mechanical harvesting feasible.
Processing Proximity
Hammons Products processes black walnuts regionally; hulling stations operate seasonally in OH.
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Combined nut + timber revenue significantly above row crop returns over time.
Input Costs Acceptable
Annual operating costs ~$2,500/acre are moderate; native species needs minimal inputs.
Payback Period OK
10+ years to full nut production; timber value accrues over decades.
Insurance Available
No standard federal crop insurance for black walnut nuts.
Revenue Per Labor Hour
At ~$114/labor hour, excellent return due to low labor requirements.
Grants/Subsidies
USDA EQIP, CRP, and Forest Legacy programs support establishment.
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $8//lb hulled |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $4,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $2,500/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $5,000/acre |
| Total Input Cost | $2,500/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $1,500 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | $114 |
| Crop Insurance | Not available |
| Subsidies | USDA EQIP, USDA CRP, USDA Forest Legacy |
Source: Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Ohio Timber Works 2025 market report (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Thousand cankers disease is an emerging threat; walnut husk fly is regionally present.
Market Diversified
Nut food market, timber/veneer, oil extraction, and landscaping value.
Low Establishment Risk
Native species establishes reliably; moderate cost of ~$5,000/acre.
Climate Resilient
Native species highly adapted to regional climate variability and extreme weather.
Regulatory Burden Low
No special permits required; some states have timber harvest regulations.
Diversifies Portfolio
Unique dual-purpose (nut+timber) crop not duplicated in current portfolio.
Risk data for this crop is being collected. Check back soon.
Nutritional Yield
Nutrition data pending.
Research agents will profile Black Walnut against USDA FoodData Central on the next maintenance pass. Per-acre nutritional yield will appear here once the per-100g panel is recorded.
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem service data pending.
The next research-agent rotation will document this crop's contributions to pollinator support, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
Nearby Buyers
Data Sources
Every data point on this page is traceable to its source. Below you'll find the complete provenance trail — which sources were used, when data was last verified, and a full change history.
Primary sources: USDA Forest Service Silvics of North America, USDA NRCS Plant Guide (Juglans nigra), Purdue Extension FNR-119, Missouri Center for Agroforestry AF1023, Savanna Institute, Ohio Timber Works market report. Verified 2026-04-13.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: lake_erie View economics source →
24 tracked changes across 7 data categories