The common walnut, Juglans regia, is probably a native of SE Europe to China but was widely spread by the Romans. Although the Botanic Gardens is near the Northern limit in Europe, trees in Belfast will form nuts in a good year.

The common walnut is easily distinguished from the black walnut (Juglans nigra) as the common walnut has only 5 or 7 leaflets on each compound leaf whereas the black walnut has 10 to 20. In winter it may be distinguished from the ash by the grey/brown buds, clearly distinct from the black buds of the ash.

The leaning walnut tree illustrated here was lost in gales in 2020. It will be missed by the many visitors who enjoyed its distinctive shape and who collected walnuts from under it. The tag number above relates to the upright tree near the bandstand.

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2008. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.