The compound leaves, typical to all members of Juglans, are about 40 cm long, grouped at the ends of the branches, and have a serrated border.

Propagation is by seed; nuts are scarified with sandpaper, then planted in moist sand for 4 months at a temperature of 2 to 4 °C.

Natural germination times are poorly studied, but new trees appear to grow where the nuts fall and are buried under leaf litter.

[3] Fruits must be soaked in water for 24–48 hours, but not allowed to ferment, after which the loosened pulp can be manually removed to reveal the walnut inside.

The hard, durable wood of Andean walnut is highly prized in cabinetry, flooring, veneers, utensils, and other forms of decoration.