Butternut (White Walnut) vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Butternut (White Walnut) vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Juglans cinerea

Northern Gooseberry
Butternut (White Walnut)

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

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.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

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Lowest Price: $32.99
Zone: 1a
Zone: 2b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Berries: purple or purplish black
Nuts: brown shell, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT
Native to: ON, QC, NB
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut