Butternut
Arbor Walk #161, TreeKeeper ID #6339
Although this tree has a broad range within the Upper Midwest and Northeast United States, it is uncommon in most of its range, being overshadowed by its ubiquitous relative Juglans nigra, the black walnut. Its lack of prominence is mainly caused by the deadly butternut canker, which only affects J. cinerea. This and its comparatively short lifespan of only 75 years run contrary to its growth preferences, where it is more tolerable of drier, rockier, and colder conditions than the longer-lived black walnut.
This tree has namesake edible nuts, pinnately compound leaves, an upright form, and medium height (40-60 feet tall). It also has lighter bark than the black walnut, inspiring its other common name, white walnut.
| Common Name(s) | Butternut, White Walnut |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Juglans cinerea |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
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Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
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Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
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Leaf Identification
The Butternut has leaves alternately arranged on the stem, with each leaf pinnately compound and composed of 11-17 leaflets. The leaflets are elliptic to nearly oblong, with acuminate tips and serrated edges. The leaflets are bright green and sparsely pubescent (hairy) on top and whitish-green and pubescent underneath. The leaves can be up to 28″ in length.
Twig and Bud Identification
The Butternut twig is light brown and covered in glandular hairs, especially when young. The terminal bud is whitish-green, very pubescent, and very clawed. The axillary buds are tan, pubescent, and obovoid. They are noticeable on the twig but may be difficult to see near the terminal bud.
Bark Identification
When mature, the bark of the Butternut is grey-brown with deep, wide furrows cut off by thin interlacing ridges. When young, these furrows and ridges are less distinct and the bark is flatter.
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the Butternut is a nut up to 2″ long, oblong with blunt tips at each end, covered in a pubescent, sticky, green husk. It grows in small bunches. The interior of the nut resembles a walnut.
Flower Identification
The Butternut is monoecious (trees have either male or female flowers but not both). Staminate (male) flowers are on greenish catkins borne from axillary buds, and pistillate (female) flowers are short spikes borne terminally.
ID Key Tips
- To distinguish the Butternut from the Black Walnut, first check the fruit. The Butternut has elliptic or ovoid fruits that are sticky but will not stain the hands a dark color, whereas the Black Walnut has spherical fruit that are not sticky but can stain the hands black.
- Butternut has a terminal leaflet equal in size to the other leaflets, while the Black Walnut does not. The Black Walnut has a strong odor to its crushed twigs and leaves, while the Butternut does not give off such an odor.
