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The walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a non-native but very common tree species in the Northern hemisphere, very much appreciated because of its wood quality as well as of its important social benefits. Originary from Iran, it arrived in Europe 500-600 years ago and only in the 19th century in America and has been very much extended in forest plantations, orchards, green areas and also as isolated trees. It is a middle size tree with relatively large ecological amplitude. Walnut can successfully survive in areas with „poor" ecological conditions but its growth has been optimal in locations where its requirements for light, soil fertility, no stagnant water and spacing are satisfied. The walnut quality hardwood is nowadays mostly directed to high-value uses. Veneer is the most valuable use for walnut round wood and the best logs are directed to high-quality veneer production. The walnut fruits global annual production exceeds 1 million tons/year and Romania is one of the most important producers in Europe. The nuts are rich in proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, C vitamin, as well as in Ph, Mg, Ca and Fe being largely used in food, cosmetic and chemical industry. The domestic use of walnuts and its social role as wood, fruit producer and medicinal and ornamental plant is well-known in the Northern hemisphere. Its uses as a „social tree" in alignments and gardens along roads with an important traffic role in the Western part of Romania have determined a large local consumption of walnut fruits. The chemical content of the walnut fruits is analysed in this respect. There are many qualities that recommend it as a valuable „social broadleave tree" for the future, including its rapid growth, the high value of its quality hardwood and fruits, its traditional use as an ornamental plant and its ecological plasticity in respect to the envisaged context of climate change. Recently, several EU Common Agricultural Policy funding programs have been focused on planting walnuts in large agricultural areas in Southern Europe and considering the local conditions, it represents an opportunity for Western Romania as well. The Romanian legislative framework (the „Law of the walnut") is very favourable to the walnut extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]