What are Butternuts?
Butternuts are not a type of squash, but rather a species of walnut tree native to the eastern United States and Canada. They are also known as white walnut trees because of their pale gray bark. Butternut trees are related to black walnut trees and other members of the walnut family.
Butternut Tree Information
Butternut trees grow to be about 60 feet tall and have dark green leaves arranged in leaflets that can be up to 20 inches long. The fruit of the butternut tree is a nut that is not round like the nut of the black walnut tree, but elongated and longer than it is wide. The nut is deeply ridged and grows inside a green, hairy husk until they mature in mid-autumn.
Are Butternuts Edible?
Yes, butternuts are edible and have been eaten by Native Americans for centuries. The butternut is an oily nut that can be eaten as is when mature or prepared in a variety of ways. The Iroquois crushed and boiled butternuts and served the mixture as baby food or drinks, or processed it into breads, puddings, and sauces.
Growing Butternuts
It is possible to grow butternuts in your backyard, if you have a site with rich, loamy soil. The trees are vigorous and live for some 75 years. However, the butternut tree is now a threatened species due to its susceptibility to a fungal canker disease called butternut canker. Hybrids, where white walnut trees are crossed with Japanese walnut, are more resistant to the canker.
Butternut Canker
Butternut canker is a fungal disease that has caused a decline in butternut tree populations in the wild. The disease is caused by the fungus Sirococcus clavigignenti-jug-landacearum. Symptoms of butternut canker include cankers on the trunk and branches, wilting leaves, and dieback of branches. There is no cure for butternut canker, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent the disease, such as avoiding wounding the trees and planting resistant varieties.
Butternut Tree Benefits
Butternut trees provide a number of benefits, including:
- Food: Butternuts are a nutritious food source for humans and wildlife.
- Timber: Butternut wood is strong and durable, making it valuable for furniture and other woodworking projects.
- Wildlife habitat: Butternut trees provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including squirrels, birds, and insects.
Conclusion
Butternut trees are a valuable resource that provide a number of benefits. However, they are threatened by butternut canker disease. By taking steps to prevent the disease, we can help to protect these trees and ensure that they continue to provide benefits for generations to come.
