The _bark_ differs from that of the black walnut in being light gray on
branches and on the trunk of small trees, becoming darker on large
trees. This tree may also be distinguished from black walnut by the
velvet collars just above the scars left by last year's leaves. The
twigs have chocolate-brown chambered pith and bear obliquely blunt
winter buds somewhat flattened, brownish and hairy.
The compound _leaves_ are 15 to 30 inches long, each with 11 to 17
sharp-pointed, oblong, finely toothed leaflets 2 to 3 inches long.
The staminate and pistillate _flowers_ are on the same tree, the former
in long yellowish-green drooping catkins and the latter are short with
red-fringed stigmas.
The _fruit_ is a nut enclosed in an oblong, somewhat pointed,
yellowish-green husk, about 2 inches long, which is covered with short,
rusty, clammy, sticky hairs. The nut has a rough, grooved shell and an
oily, edible kernel.
The _wood_ is light, soft, not strong, coarse-grained, light brown, and
takes a good polish. It is used for interior finish of houses and for
furniture. A yellow or orange dye can be made from the husks of the
nuts.