Description

A deciduous tree native to eastern North America and related to black walnut. It develops a broad, spreading crown, pale gray bark and long compound leaves. Butternut is valued for its elongated nuts with deeply ridged shells and for its light, relatively soft wood that is easy to work. It prefers rich, deep, moist and well-drained soils. The species is highly vulnerable to butternut canker, a fungal disease that has severely reduced natural populations.