Mystery Tree in Granville County, NC: Large Heart-Shaped Leaves, Sticky Green Nuts

A 40-ft tree with light bark, wide-spreading branches, 10-inch heart-shaped leaves (no teeth), and sticky green nuts in July (brown, less sticky by fall) needs identification.

Possible Match: Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

• Leaves: compound, not simple heart-shaped—unlikely.

Better Candidates

• Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) – large heart-shaped leaves, long bean-like pods (not nuts).
• Paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) – huge leaves, sticky buds, woody capsules.
• Basswood / Linden (Tilia americana) – heart-shaped leaves, small nutlets with bracts.
• Mulberry (Morus rubra) – variable leaves, sticky fruit (but compound).

Expert ID

Contact NC Forest Service, Granville County:

Timothy Harris, Ranger
5087 Herbert Henley Rd, Oxford, NC 27572
Phone: 919-693-3154
Email: Granville.DFR@ncmail.net

A forester can visit and identify definitively.