Mature treeWalnut
Butternut
Juglans cinerea
$5.25per seedling
In stock this season
Sold in groups of 10 — online orders are limited to 1,000 seedlings total.
Quick facts
- Mature size
- — 40–60 ft tall · 30–50 ft wide
- Growth speed
- — Medium — 1–2 ft of new growth a year
- Sunlight
- — Full sun (6+ hrs direct sun)
- Soil
- — Average / moist
- Good for
- — Reforestation & timber · Wildlife food & habitat · Streamside & wet areas
- Wildlife
- — Rich, oily nuts prized by squirrels and other small mammals.
About this species
Butternut is a graceful native tree known for its light gray, ridged bark and long, compound leaves that create an airy, open crown. In late summer, it produces large, sticky-husked nuts with rich, buttery kernels that are prized by wildlife and occasionally harvested by people. Butternut thrives in well-drained soils and is commonly found in bottomlands, slopes, and mixed hardwood forests across parts of Ohio. Unfortunately, populations have declined due to butternut canker, a fungal disease that threatens the species throughout its range. Despite these challenges, butternut remains valued for its ecological importance, distinctive form, and high-quality wood, making conservation and restoration efforts particularly meaningful.
Planting notes
Plant away from gardens — roots release juglone, a natural compound found in its leaves, roots, and husks that can inhibit or harm sensitive plants growing nearby. Excellent timber value.