Autumn conjures images of apple picking and pumpkin patches, but there's another native plant that deserves its moment in the sun: Black walnut trees.

Why should I care?

Every part of the Black Walnut tree has commercial uses in furniture, cosmetics, and most of all, food.

Folks wrestling with shells every time they mow are sitting on a tasty treasure trove.

Here's where to spot Juglans nigra, aka the eastern American black walnut. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

How to spot + where to hull

Seeing dollar signs yet? If you're interested in sharing your local harvest, regional producers like Hammons Black Walnuts are ready to buy.

Here's how to identify your haul:

Large leaves 1-2 feet long, made of 11-23 leaflets
A large, straight grayish-brown or black trunk
Distinctive spicy smell
And most importantly — green, round husks 1.5–2.5 inches across that enclose a dark brown or black nut

Peak harvest season is September through October — but you might already be spotting some premature droppings. When you're ready to go nuts, here are the nearby buying stations:

Arrowhead Farm in Bargersville
Glenn R Edwards in Arcadia
Kris and Doug Shoemaker in Kokomo