Description
This tree is native to North America and produces amazing buttery tasting walnuts. On a mast year, these trees can produce nuts that cover the entire ground. Along with Shagbark Hickory, these are some of the most delicious nuts from our native trees. Sadly, Butternuts have been disappearing from their forest homes in their native range, due to a deadly cankerous disease that arose in the 1960’s. However, the trees we source from are free of the canker and are hardy to zone 4 and would be worth trying in zone 3.
Growing Tips
Butternuts are self fertile but will produce more nuts if there are neighbouring butternuts. They are tolerant of different soil types but grow best in well drained, deep rich soil. Choose your planting site carefully as members of the walnut family exude a chemical called juglones that can inhibit the growth of many plants and trees including blueberry, apples, tomatoes, and pine trees. However there are also a lot of plants that will grow within their proximity. For example, some trees and berries that they grow well with are Elderberry, Currants and Gooseberries.
Latin name: Juglans Cinerea
Hardiness Zone: Zone 4
Height: 75 ft
Spread: 25 ft
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Average year to bear fruit: 10
Harvest Time: September
Soil Requirements: Well drained
Flower Time: May to June
Pollination: Self Fertile but will benefit greatly from multiple trees for cross pollination
