butternut

butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Video from the North Carolina Extension Gardener

Conservation Status: Special Concern

Description:

The Butternut is also called white walnut. It is native to the eastern United States. The butternut grows further north than the black walnut. Moreover, the nuts are edible and have a mild flavor.

Butternut trees are commonly found in floodplain benches and rocky slopes. They are partially shade tolerant, needing small openings to reach for sunlight. This species of tree does not tolerate fire. Once exposed to fire, butternut trees do not re-sprout.

Trees live 60 years and begin producing nuts when approximately 30 years old. They grow to 50-60 feet tall.

The Butternut is listed as an species of special concern in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory, which lists rare species in the state (endangered, threatened and special concern). Its listing is because butternuts commonly suffer from a canker that has greatly reduced their numbers.

butternut

USDA Symbol:	Common Name:	Scientific Name:
JUCI	butternut	Juglans cinerea

ITIS TSN: 19250

Category: Dicot

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom:

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Subdivision:

Class: Magnoliopsida

SubClass: Hamamelididae

Order: Juglandales

Family: Juglandaceae

Counties: Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood

Natural Community: Southern Oak Forest-Oak Woodland

Curtis Community: Northern Dry-mesic Forest, Southern Wet-Mesic Forest, Southern Dry-mesic Forest

Coefficient of Conservation: 6

Duration:	Growth Habit:	Native Status:
Perennial	Tree	L48(N)CAN(N)

NR40 Listed Plant	Noxious Weed:	Invasive Species (NR40):	Threatened/Endangered:	WI Natural Heritage Index:	Wetland Status
		Native		Special concern	FACU

Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer

After Harvest Regrowth Rate:

Bloat: None

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: High

Coppice Potential: Yes

Conspicuous Fall Color: Yes

Fire Resistant: No

Flower Color: Green

Conspicuous Flower: No

Foliage Color: Green

Foliage Light Porosity Summer: Moderate

Foliage Porosity Winter: Porous

Foliage Texture: Coarse

Fruit/Seed Color: Brown

Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: Yes

Growth Form: Single Stem

Growth Rate: Rapid

Height at Base Age (Max): 20

Height at Maturity: 80

Known Alelopath: Yes

Leaf Retention: No

Lifespan: Short

Low Growing Grass: No

Re-sproutability: Yes

Shape and Orientation: Erect

Toxicity: Slight

Height (min):

Height (max):

Root Type:

Leaf Type:

Leaf Arrangement:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Margin:

Vein Pattern:

Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Medium Textured Soils: Yes

Adapted to Fine Textured Soils: No

Anaerobic Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance: None

Cold Stratification Required: Yes

Drought Tolerance: Low

Fertility Requirement: Medium

_Fire Tolerance: Low

Frost Free Days, Minimum: 105

Hedge Tolerance: Low

Moisture Use: Medium

pH (Minimum): 6

pH (Maximum): 7

Planting Density per Acre, Minimum: 100

Planting Density per Acre, Maximum: 800

Precipitation (Minimum): 25

Precipitation (Maximum): 80

Root Depth, Minimum (inches): 40

Salinity Tolerance: None

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Temperature, Minimum (°F): -33

Plant Spacing (min):

Plant Spacing (max):

Bloom Period:	Commercial Availability:	Fruit/Seed Abundance:
Late Spring	Routinely Available	Medium

Fruit/Seed Period Begin:	Fruit/Seed Period End:	Fruit/Seed Persistence:
Fall	Winter	Yes

Propogated by Bare Root:	Propogated by Bulbs:	Propogated by Container:
Yes	No	Yes

Propogated by Corms:	Propogated by Cuttings:	Propogated by Seed:
No	No	Yes

Propogated by Sod:	Propogated by Sprigs:	Propogated by Tubers:
No	No	No

Seeds per Pound:	Seed Spread Rate:	Seedling Vigor:
30	Slow	High

Small Grain:	Vegetative Spread Rate:	Propagation Treatment:
No	None

Days to Stratify:	Direct Sowing Time:

Benefits:

Berry/Nut/Seed Product:	Christmas Tree Product:	Fodder Product:
Yes	No	No

Fuelwood Product:	Lumber Product:	Naval Store Product:
High	Yes	No

Nursery Stock Product:	Palatable Browse Animal:	Palatable Graze Animal:
Yes	Low	Low

Palatable Human:	Post Product:	Protein Potential:
Yes	Yes	--

Pulpwood Product:	Veneer Product:
Yes	Yes

Benefits:	Wildlife Food Value:	Wildlife Cover Value: