Butternut (White Walnut) vs Hardy Pecan - TreeTime.ca

Butternut (White Walnut) vs Hardy Pecan

Juglans cinerea

Carya illinoinensis

Butternut (White Walnut)
Hardy Pecan

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.

Hardy Pecan trees are known for their edible nuts that ripen in late autumn. They can be eaten raw or cooked and can be used in a wide range of baked goods. If stored properly in a cool, dry location, they can be kept for up to 6 months in their shell. Trees tend to bear nuts at maturity, which occurs around 6 -10 years. The size and form of this tree also makes it a great shade or feature tree for your landscape.

For nut production, it is recommended that at least 2-3 are planted so that cross pollination can occur. In colder areas it is likely that nut production will be limited, especially in locations with late frosts and shorter growing seasons.

If exposed to high winds, Hardy Pecan is known to lose branches, but these can be used as firewood, or to smoke foods with a hickory flavour. Finding seed or seedlings of this tree is rare in Canada.

Note: plant this tree once. It will not respond well to transplanting.

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

Hardy Pecan Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 5a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Flowers: yellow
Nuts: brown shell, edible
Nuts: oval, brown
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high
Suckering: none
Suckering: none




Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut
Other Names: carya pecan, faux hickory, hicoria pecan, illinois nut, illinois nut tree, pecan hickory, soft-shelled hickory, sweet pecan