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

Butternut (White Walnut) vs Black Cottonwood

Juglans cinerea

Populus trichocarpa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Butternut (White Walnut)
Black Cottonwood

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 Cottonwood is the largest and tallest of the North American poplars. Named after its white, fluffy seeds with cottony hairs, this hardy tree produces sticky, fragrant buds and has a straight growth habit. Black Cottonwood needs ample moisture and nutrients to grow successfully to full height and are found in the Western provinces and the Yukon with BC being its heartland.

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 4a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


Nuts: brown shell, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut
Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar