Description
White walnut tree is really most happy in the loose gravely soil of stream banks and other undisturbed areas but can grow in various soils such as, alkaline, clay, dry and wet soil. The leaves of the white walnut, or also known as butternut, are pinnately-compound, having 11-19 leaflets on the 10-20″ long leaves. These leaflets are finely serrated and turn yellow in the fall.
The flowers of the butternut are 3-5″ long, greenish, drooping catkins that appear in May in Michigan. The sweet, oily kernel nut of the fruit ripens in late fall. It is about 3″ long and cylindrical in clusters of 3-5 and sticky. Terminal buds on a butternut are 1/2-3/4″ long with prominent hairy fringes above leaf scar. The butternut twigs are somewhat orangish-brown.
Some people are just crazy about the taste of the butternut and for sure the squirrels go nuts over them. The wood is used in finish work in houses, furniture and cabinetry. Also instrument cases. Sap can be boiled in the spring for syrup.
The most surefire way to identify a white walnut from a black walnut is by the pith in the twigs. The black walnut is cream colored and the butternut has chocolate brown pith. Considered a slow grower they grow 12″ or less per year. Walnuts develop a taproot which can make transplanting difficult. Known mainly for it’s edible nuts and fine wood.
Butternut is an excellent choice for deer, turkey and squirrel feed. Nut production on a mature butternut walnut can be tremendous. Plant two trees for pollination. Butternut trees can be messy with the large compound leaves and nut drop. Wild Harvests
White Walnut – Butternut
Scientific Name: Juglans cinerea
Zone: 3-7 Find Your Growing Zone
Mature Height: 40-60 ft
Mature Width: 40-60 ft
Fruit: Nut
Flowers: Male flowers are catkins, female flowers are inconspicuous
Bloom Time: May
Growth Rate: Slow, 12″ or less per year
Soil: Moist, high-organic matter in soil, good drainage
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Fall Color: Gold/yellow
Wildlife Value: Great food resource for mammals and many types of birds. Also the nuts are yummy to humans.
**Trees 3-4′ and larger may require extra shipping. Call for a more accurate shipping quote.
