Butternut (White Walnut) vs Black Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Butternut (White Walnut) vs Black Cherry

Juglans cinerea

Prunus serotina

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Butternut (White Walnut)
Black Cherry

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.

Black Cherry is common in eastern North America but a rare find elsewhere. This tree is shade tolerant and is often found in old fields, forest openings, and along fencerows.

The fruit is edible and is commonly used to flavor rum and brandy. It is also edible and often eaten fresh or used in wine or jelly. Black Cherry trees typically begin producing fruit when they are 10 years of age.

Black Cherry wood is a rich reddish-brown color and is strong, making it valued in cabinetry and woodworking. It is often used in reclamation as well.

The leaves can poison livestock as they contain cyanide derivatives and precursors. However, many have noted that deer still seem to browse their trees with impunity and birds and other animals eat the fruit when available.

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

Black Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 2a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: bark and wilted leaves toxic to livestock
Foliage: long, glossy leaves
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: dark red
Nuts: brown shell, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut
Other Names: mountain black cherry, wild cherry, wild rum cherry