Walnut

27th November 2023

Photo Credit: Marjorosl, Getty Images, CANVA

Help to search my house this one time. If I find not what I seek, show no colour for my extremity. Let me forever be your table-sport. Let them say of me “As jealous as Ford, that searched a hollow walnut for his wife’s leman.” Satisfy me once more. Once more search with me.

FORD: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 4, Scene 2

WALNUT

Walnut makes 2 appearences in Shakespeare, the Merry Wives of Windor and Taming of the Shrew.

Walnut (Juglans regia) is a naturalised deciduous tree which prefers south and central Britain. It was growing here in the Medieval period and may have been introduced as early as the Roman period. The scientific name means ‘royal nut of Jupiter’. It is native to southern Europe to Southern China. The Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is native to North America and was introduced to Britain in the 1620s as an ornamental tree but it is rarely found outside of gardens or parks.

The 25th of November to the 3rd of December is National Tree Week.

More Information

BSBI Plant Atlas 2020: Walnut, Black Walnut

The Tree Council: National Tree Week

Woodland Trust: Walnut