Butternut, also called White Walnut, is a native nut tree of eastern North America producing elongated, sticky green husks enclosing richly flavored, oily nuts prized by wildlife and humans. The tree grows 40–60 feet tall in rich, moist upland and bottomland forests. Butternut is severely threatened throughout its range by Butternut Canker, a fungal disease that has devastated wild populations. Finding a healthy Butternut is increasingly rare, making it a conservation-priority species.
Habitat
Found in moist, rich upland forests, hillsides, and stream banks across eastern North America.
Diet
Nuts consumed by squirrels, turkeys, and deer; provides similar ecological functions to Black Walnut.
How common
Uncommon
Recent Butternut sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Butternut? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free