On occasion in my land and ranch showings in Central Texas I do run across beautiful Black Walnut trees. This Native Texas hardwood tree, juglans nigra, is sought after for its incredible wood by cabinet and furniture makers. The trees provide beauty and shade as well as delicious, protein rich, nutritious nuts for animals like squirrels and others.
The nuts are very tasty. There is a Black Walnut ice cream at HEB and many recipes for it online. I love it.
I find it interesting that Black Walnut trees are allelopathic plants, these trees can kill other plants around them. Juggling is the toxic substance in all parts of the tree and the substance the tree releases into the soil. Black Walnut is also poisonous to horses. At one time I would go to a wood mill for fresh wood shavings for my horses stalls. When they milled black walnut, I was careful to not bring any of those shavings home to my barn! Dogs can also get very sick by eating moldy black walnut nuts and shells.
For more information on this tree, see
http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/TreeDetails/?id=52
https://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/black-walnut.html
http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/what-to-plant-under-black-walnut-trees.html
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/black-walnut
https://wagwalking.com/condition/black-walnut-poisoning
There are many Native Texas plants that are tolerant of Black Walnut. These have been mentioned on-line but verify to be sure-
Box elder Acer negundo
Pawpaw Asimina triloba
Hickory Carya texana
Redbud Cercis canadensis var. texensis
Honey-locust Gleditsia triacanthos
American elm Ulmus americana
Elderberry Sambucus nigra
Black-haw Viburnum rufidulum
Yucca Twistleaf Yucca tortifolia
Prickly-ash Zanthoxylum hirsutum
Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Greenbriar Smilax bona-nox
Wild grape Vitis mustangensis
Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
Goldenrod Solidago altissima
Betty Saenz is a Native Texas REALTOR who grew up in Texas, identifying native trees and plants. Betty loves to garden, restore habitat for wildlife. Call Betty to buy or sell a horse property or land (512) 785-5050