Common Hackberry vs Butternut (White Walnut) - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Butternut (White Walnut)

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Common Hackberry
Butternut (White Walnut)

The Common Hackberry is a medium-sized deciduous tree that resembles the American Elm but is immune to Dutch Elm Disease. They are versatile and can adapt to a variety of growing conditions.

It produces purple-red, berry-like fruit with a large seed in the center. Both the sweet flesh, which tastes similar to dates, and the crunchy seed are edible. The fruit remains on the tree throughout the winter, offering a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.

The Common Hackberry can also be a great addition to a pollinator garden. The tree itself is a host for the larvae of several butterfly species and the flowers provide a source of pollen and nectar.

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.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 2b
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Berries: black, edible
Nuts: brown shell, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC
Native to: ON, QC, NB
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry
Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut