Butternut Tree Grow Guide: How to Grow a Butternut Tree

The butternut tree (juglans cinerea) is a deciduous tree native to North America and Canada. Butternut trees—also known by the common name white walnut—have large, rounded crowns of ridged leaves and dark brown-gray wood. They are monoecious trees that produce separate male flowers (in clusters called catkins) and female flowers (which grow as short green spikes); the latter bears oval-shaped fruits containing nuts inside yellow-green fruit husks. When they receive enough sunlight, butternut trees can grow up to sixty feet tall.

Butternut trees are similar to black walnut trees (juglans nigra) and Japanese walnut trees (juglans ailantifolia), all of which belong to the Juglandaceae family. Native populations of J. cinerea are scarce due to their susceptibility to butternut canker disease.

Where you could once find butternut trees in a handful of North American states—such as New York, Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin—the forest service has recorded greatly diminished populations in the hardwood forests in these areas.

Plant butternut trees in early spring after the last threat of frost has passed or in early fall. They grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–7, preferring cool to moderate climates and bright, full sun, so make sure that your planting space receives enough light.

Butternut trees are slow growers that you can propagate from cold stratified trees (or by planting the butternut fruits themselves). Still, they will grow quicker if you plant them from saplings or ball-and-burlap trees. Follow these simple instructions for planting your butternut tree:

1. 1. Purchase a butternut sapling. Visit your local garden center to buy a butternut sapling or ball-and-burlap tree that is already growing.
2. 2. Choose a planting site. Butternut trees have a spread that reaches up to sixty feet wide. Choose a location in your garden with a lot of space and ample sunlight. Butternut trees require full sun to thrive.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Prepare your planting spot with high-quality, nutrient-rich organic soil. Amend your soil to these parameters and dig a hole roughly twice as big as your sapling's root ball.
4. 4. Plant your tree. Hold your tree firmly in place in the planting hole and backfill the roots with organic soil. Gently pack the soil down to hold the tree firmly in place without compacting the soil too much.
5. 5. Water the area. Water the sapling immediately, and continue watering the area regularly to help the plant establish roots.

Follow these tips to help your burgeoning butternut tree thrive.

1. 1. Water liberally. Butternut trees enjoy moist soil and can tolerate a weekly watering. Check your soil's moisture regularly and water the area immediately if it becomes dry.
2. 2. Prune regularly. When your tree is young, prune away any branches that grow downwards to encourage growth. You should also remove any dead branches when you notice them. Butternut trees are susceptible to fungal disease, so if you notice any dark, sunken cankers in your branches, prune them away immediately. Learn how to prune your plants with this complete guide.
   
3. 3. Watch for pests. Butternut trees can fall victim to caterpillars, bark beetles, lace bugs, and borers. Insecticides or neem oil can help keep your tree free of pests.
4. 4. Monitor for butternut canker. Butternut canker (Sirococcus clavigignenti-jug-landacearum) is a fungal disease that has decimated the number of butternut trees growing in the wild. If any branches on your healthy butternut tree show signs of the disease, remove them immediately to ward off the disease.
   

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