The Edible But Declining Butternut

Butternut (Juglans cinerea), also called white walnut, is closely related to black walnut (Juglans nigra) and can be identified by its flat, smooth-topped bark, its tan buds, and distinctly oblong-shaped nut encased in a leathery husk. The species is never common, but grows at lower slopes in rich soil and along river floodplains throughout eastern North America. Like the black walnut, butternut fruits are strong flavored but edible, and are consumed by wildlife. The upper left photograph is of a nut once the hull is removed.

Butternut is a relatively uncommon species in Pennsylvania and is increasingly rare due to a fungal disease commonly known as “butternut canker.” The demise of butternut populations was first noticed in the late sixties in Iowa and has been quite extensive in northern areas as well as the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Very little is known about the fungus and studies investigating treatments are underway. Large butternut trees growing in the forest may hold the most potential as they may show some sort of genetic resistance to the fungus. The extent of the disease in Pennsylvania is not known and populations of butternut should be monitored for disease spread.

Butternut is one of the many species discovered at the new Erie Bluffs State Park, Erie County, PA. WPC biologists are conducting an inventory and assessment of this property for use by the PA Bureau of State Parks.

Today's photos were take by WPC Natural Communities Ecologist Ephraim Zimmerman.

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