Landowner Fact Sheets

butternut Juglans cinerea

Butternut is a species in rapid decline due to butternut canker. Once quite widespread, it has nearly vanished in the southern part of its range.

range map Click to see more images. fall color wood grain

Light
Butternut is generally not intentionally regenerated.

Water
Generally found on well-drained bottomland soils, but many grow well on drier limestone soils.

Growth

Size
A small to medium sized tree up to 60 feet with a forked or crooked trunk and wide-spreading branches.

Timber Value
Butternut wood is attractive but very soft. It is used for cabinetry and decorative purposes.

Wildlife Value
The rich oily nuts are edible for wildlife and people, and it was once widely planted by Native Americans.
Attracts squirrels

Insects and Diseases

Fun Facts
A maple syrup substitute can be made from the sap of butternut, and the nuts are edible but quite oily. Butternut is in serious decline throughout its native range due to a fungal disease known as butternut canker.

Latin Meaning
Juglans: Latin name for Juglans regia Latin "jovis" (Jupiter) and "glans" (nut) / cinerea: ashy gray (bark)

Home - I.D. Fact Sheet - USDA Silvics Manual - Additional Silvics

Landowner Factsheets © 2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.