Question
WE RECENTLY MOVED INTO A RENTAL PROPERTY WITH A YARD. WE HAVE A TREE WE SHARE WITH THE NEIHBORING YARD THAT OUR LANDLORD SAYS IS A BLACK WALNUT....I DON'T THINK SO...IT HAS PURPLE FLOWERS IN THE SPRING THAT RESEMBLE A LONG THIN BELL OR TULIP. AT THE BASE OF THE FLOWER IS A TAN SUEDE LIKE TULIP SHAPED CUP. I'M TOLD THAT IN THE WINTER THE FLOWER TURNS HARD AND THE END RESULT IS A WALNUT LIKE SHELL WHICH FALLS OFF THE TREE AND IS ABUNDANT ALL OVER THE YARD....IS IT BLACK WALNUT?

Answer
Connie,

From your description your tree is not a black walnut but and empress tree, Paulownia tomentosum,  It is the purple flowers that gives it away.  I bet the flowers are very fragrant.

Hope this helps

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