Hart nut, Juglans ailanthifolia
The seed, the hart nut is eaten raw or used in confections, cakes, ice cream etc. A delicious flavour.
The seed can also be ground into a meal and used as a flavouring in sweet and savoury dishes.
The unripe fruits are pickled in vinegar.
An edible oil is obtained from the seed, it should not be stored for any length of time since it tends to go rancid quickly. The oil has a pleasant flavour and is used in salads or for cooking.
The sap is tapped in spring and used to make a sugar.
The dried green husks contain 2.5 - 5% ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - this can be extracted and used as a vitamin supplement.
The leaves are used as a tea.
There are many medical uses too.
A brown dye is obtained from the leaves and mature husks. It does not require a mordant and turns black if prepared in an iron pot. The leaves and the husks can be dried for later use. A golden-brown dye is obtained from the catkins in early summer. It does not require a mordant.
The nuts can be used as a wood polish. Simply crack open the shell and rub the kernel into the wood to release the oils. Wipe off with a clean cloth.
The dried fruit rind is used to paint doors, window frames etc (it probably protects the wood due to its tannin content).
The leaves contain juglone, this has been shown to have pesticidal and herbicidal properties. The crushed leaves are an insect repellent. Juglone is also secreted from the roots of the tree, it has an inhibitory effect on the growth of many other plants.
Bark of the tree and the fruit rind are dried and used as a tooth cleaner. They can also be used fresh.
Wood - heavy, hard, durable, close grained, seasons and polishes well. A very valuable timber tree, it is used for furniture making, veneer etc.