deciduous tree
Butternut: pruning, storm risk and removal
Juglans cinerea. Also called White walnut, Oilnut.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Butternut at a glance
| Height | 40-60 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 40-50 ft |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| USDA zones | 3-7 |
| Lifespan | Typically 60-80 years, shorter than most hardwoods |
| Type | Deciduous |
| Native range | Northeastern and north-central United States and southeastern Canada, with some trees farther south in the Appalachians, usually on rich, well-drained soil |
| Roots | Deep and wide-spreading. The roots produce juglone, a natural chemical that can stunt some garden plants nearby, though butternut is usually thought to make less than black walnut. |
| Wood | Light, soft and easy to carve, with a warm brown color. It is valued by woodworkers and carvers but is poor firewood compared with oak or hickory. |
| Storm risk | mediumThe wood is lighter and softer than most hardwoods, and the crown is often spreading. Trees hit by butternut canker are weakened and drop limbs or fail. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a butternut
Best time to prune
Late fall to winter while the tree is dormant, or in summer. Remove dead wood and weak forks. Prune out limbs with cankers back to healthy wood and clean tools between cuts.
Avoid pruning
Avoid heavy pruning in spring when sap is rising, since walnut family trees bleed. Do not top the tree. Avoid big wounds, which can let decay and canker in.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Butternut canker has hurt the species across its range. A healthy tree is worth protecting, so ask your state forestry office or extension service for advice.
- Keep sensitive garden plants such as tomatoes away from the root zone, because of juglone.
- Expect nuts, husks and leaves to drop. The husks can stain hands and paving.
- Water in long dry spells and keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on butternut
- 1Look for elongated, sunken cankers on the trunk and limbs, often with dark oozing. Report heavy cases to the customer.
- 2Clean saw blades and tools between trees when a canker is present.
- 3Expect hollow or decayed sections on older trees. Test before loading a limb.
- 4Walnut family wood can be worth keeping for a woodworker. Ask the customer before chipping it.
Removal notes
Many surviving butternuts are old, with cankers, dead limbs and decay, so check the whole tree before climbing. The wood is light for a hardwood but large limbs still carry weight. Some places treat butternut as a tree of concern, so a customer with a healthy-looking tree may want it checked before removal.
Wood
Light, soft and easy to carve, with a warm brown color. It is valued by woodworkers and carvers but is poor firewood compared with oak or hickory.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for butternut
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Butternut: common questions
How can I tell butternut from black walnut?
Butternut nuts are oblong and pointed with sticky husks, while black walnuts are round. Butternut leaves have a sticky, hairy feel, and a butternut leaf scar has a small hairy pad above it, often called an eyebrow. The pith inside a twig is chocolate brown in butternut.
Why are so many butternut trees dying?
Butternut canker, a fungal disease, has killed large numbers of trees across the range. Infected trees develop cankers that girdle limbs and trunks. Some surviving trees may show tolerance, and some have not shown symptoms yet.
Can I save a butternut with canker?
There is no cure. Pruning out small infected limbs may slow it down in some trees, but cankers on the trunk are usually fatal over time. Ask your state forestry office or extension service.
Are butternuts good to eat?
Yes. The nuts are rich, oily and sweet. They are harder to crack than many nuts and the husks stain.
Will butternut kill my garden plants?
It can stunt some plants growing near its roots because of juglone. The effect is usually strongest close to the trunk. Many plants grow fine near walnut family trees.
Should I remove an old butternut?
If it is dead, badly cankered, hollow or over a house, removal is often wise. A certified arborist can inspect it. Get two or three written quotes.
More trees in the same regions
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