303.733.1292
800-692-WOOD(9663)
303.733.1292
800-692-WOOD(9663)
Botanical Name
Juglans cinerea
Other Common Names
White walnut, gray walnut, lemon walnut, oil-bean-nut, oilnut.
Region
Butternut is native to the eastern United States from Tennessee and western North Carolina north to southern Ontario and Quebec.
The Tree
Butternut trees reach heights of 100 ft, with a 3 ft diameter.
Appearance
Heartwood is usually a light to medium tan, sometimes with a reddish tint. Growth rings are darker and form fairly distinct grain patterns. Sapwood is a pale yellowish white.
Properties
Has a medium to coarse texture with open pores, similar to Black Walnut. Grain is typically straight.
Working Properties
Butternut is easily worked with both hand and machine tools. However, being so soft, Butternut has a tendency to leave some fuzzy surfaces after planning or sanding, and sharp cutters and fine-grit sandpaper is recommended. Butternut glues, stains, and finishes well. Butternut generally has a straight grain, works easily with tools, and takes a rich, lustrous finish.
Uses
Some common uses for Butternut include: veneer, carving, furniture, interior trim, boxes, and crates. Lumber, furniture, boxes, crates, mill work, veneer.
Availability
Butternut should be inexpensive, especially within its native range in the eastern United States. Supplies of butternut are rather limited and are getting even smaller. The tree is reported to be more valuable for its nuts than for its lumber.