BUTTERNUT
Distribution
Butternut is native to the eastern United States from Tennessee and western North Carolina north to southern Ontario and Quebec. Its distribution is scattered, never growing in pure stands, at the edges of forests or in the open. It is found in association with cherry, basswood, oak, walnut, ash, maple, elm and hemlock.
The Tree
Butternut trees reach heights of 100 ft (30 m), with a 3 ft (1 m) diameter.
The Wood
The narrow sapwood of butternut is white to light brown, while the heartwood is chestnut brown with red tinges. The growth rings are distinct, with a marked difference between the size of the earlywood and latewood pores. Butternut is similar to black walnut, but lighter in color and weight. It has no characteristic odor or taste.
Working Properties:Butternut generally has a straight grain, works easily with tools, and takes a rich, lustrous finish.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: Open grain may require some filling prior to finishing.
Uses: Lumber, furniture, boxes, crates, mill work, veneer.
Butternut is native to the eastern United States from Tennessee and western North Carolina north to southern Ontario and Quebec. Its distribution is scattered, never growing in pure stands, at the edges of forests or in the open. It is found in association with cherry, basswood, oak, walnut, ash, maple, elm and hemlock.
The Tree
Butternut trees reach heights of 100 ft (30 m), with a 3 ft (1 m) diameter.
The Wood
The narrow sapwood of butternut is white to light brown, while the heartwood is chestnut brown with red tinges. The growth rings are distinct, with a marked difference between the size of the earlywood and latewood pores. Butternut is similar to black walnut, but lighter in color and weight. It has no characteristic odor or taste.
Working Properties:Butternut generally has a straight grain, works easily with tools, and takes a rich, lustrous finish.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: Open grain may require some filling prior to finishing.
Uses: Lumber, furniture, boxes, crates, mill work, veneer.