Black Walnut vs Butternut (White Walnut)
Juglans nigra
Juglans cinerea
The Black Walnut is a slow growing, large, straight-stemmed tree with an open crown. It produces dense, very hard, edible nuts.
Black Walnut has a deeply-furrowed, black bark. Its leaves are about 1 foot long, composed of 15 - 23 slightly stalked leaflets on a moderately stout stock which provide good dappled shade.
Despite being highly valued for its edible nuts and its shade tree aesthetics, it is rare to see this tree on the prairies.
Note: Black Walnut's roots produce a substance named juglone that is toxic to some other plants. Consider this when choosing where you plant a black walnut, as you will not be able to grow tomato, potato, cabbage, eggplant, blueberry, azalea, rhododendron, lilac, red pine and apple in the surrounding area.
Note: Plant this tree once. It will not respond well to transplanting.
Note: Although self-pollinating, planting two trees significantly improves nut production.
A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.
Butternut is one of the few walnut varieties native to Canada. The nuts are sought after for their mild, sweet, and oily taste. Ensure this tree is planted in full sun and well-drained soil for best results.
Butternut is self-fertile but it has better yields when planted near other butternuts. It can survive in zone 2, but reliably produces nuts in zone 3.
A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.