Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Form

Smaller than black walnut, seldom more than 30' to 50' with a diameter of up to 24", although in the forest it can attain a height of 80' with a diameter of 36"; trunk usually divided and forked or crooked; top develops into open, broad crown; may be distinguished from black walnut by velvet collars just above scars left by last year?s leaves.

Bark

Divided into ridges, light gray on branches and trunks of small trees; becomes darker on large trees.

Leaf

Alternate on stem, length 15" to 30", pinnately compound with 11 to 17 sharply pointed, oblong, finely toothed leaflets; yellowish-green above and hairy underneath; yellow or brown in autumn.

Fruit (seed)

Light brown nut enclosed in oblong, somewhat pointed, sticky, yellowish-green husk about 2" long; husk covered with short, rusty, clammy, sticky hairs; nut has rough, grooved shell and oily edible kernel.

Range

Found in southeastern and east-central Minnesota; shade-intolerant, fast-growing; species is being destroyed by a fungus called butternut canker.