How to Grow Butternut Trees from Seed – A Complete Guide

Growing butternut trees from seed is a rewarding way to add these beautiful, nut-producing native trees to your property. While butternut trees can be purchased from nurseries, starting them yourself from seed allows you to grow multiple trees for a fraction of the cost.

An Overview of Butternut Trees

The butternut tree, also called white walnut or oilnut, is a deciduous hardwood tree native to eastern North America. Botanically named Juglans cinerea, butternut trees typically grow 40-60 feet tall and wide. They produce oblong, olive-shaped nuts encased in a solid green husk. The sweet, oily kernels inside have a prized nutty flavor.

Butternut trees thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. They grow quickly producing nuts within 10-20 years. Butternut wood finishes well and is used for cabinetry furniture, and woodworking. The trees provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Butternut populations have declined significantly due to butternut canker, a fungal disease. Planting disease-resistant butternut trees grown from seed helps preserve this special native tree.

Gathering and Storing Butternut Seeds

The first step in growing butternut trees is collecting nuts in fall as they drop from the tree. Select nuts that are heavy and free of holes or cracks, which indicate insect infestation. Float the nuts in water to check viability – discard any that float.

After a week or two, rub the nuts on gravel or pavement to remove the husks. Rinse off any remaining husk debris. Butternut shells are thick and extremely hard to crack, so it’s easiest to plant the unshelled nuts.

Store unshelled nuts over winter in a cool location The refrigerator or an unheated garage are ideal Check them periodically and discard any with mold,

Stratifying Butternut Seeds

Butternut seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy and germinate This mimics winter conditions, signaling to the seed it’s time to grow in spring

The easiest stratification method is winter sowing. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep in a container of moist potting mix. Place the container outside in a protected spot where it will experience freezing winter temperatures down to 0°F and cycles of cold and warmer weather. Bring it into an unheated garage or shed during extremely cold snaps below 0°F.

You can also stratify butternut seeds in the refrigerator. Place unshelled nuts between damp sphagnum moss or peat and sand in a ziplock bag. Store for 90-120 days at 33-40°F, checking periodically for moisture and mold.

Planting Stratified Butternut Seeds

Butternut seeds are ready to plant outside after winter stratification. Choose a site with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Amend clay soil with compost; add organic matter to sandy soils to help retain moisture. Butternuts can tolerate periodic flooding but prefer consistent moisture.

Plant stratified seeds 1-2 inches deep in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Space trees at least 30 feet apart. Cover planted seeds with wire mesh to protect from squirrels and chipmunks. Mark planting sites to avoid accidentally disturbing seeds as they germinate.

Water regularly if dry periods occur. Remove any competing weeds or grass until seedlings establish. Add a thin layer of mulch around seedlings to retain moisture.

Caring for Butternut Seedlings

Butternut saplings grow quickly when given proper care. The biggest threats to seedlings are weed competition, drought stress, damage from deer and rodents, and butternut canker disease.

Control weeds by handpulling or hoeing shallowly. Water seedlings during dry periods until they develop deep roots. Protect from deer with plastic tree guards or fencing. Check for signs of butternut canker like branch dieback and cankers. Prune infected branches well below affected areas.

Add a 2-3 inch organic mulch layer around seedlings to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage growth. Butternuts have a deep taproot and don’t transplant well, so choose planting sites carefully.

Long-Term Care of Butternut Trees

With proper siting and care, butternut trees will provide beauty, food, and habitat for decades to come. Here are some tips for their long-term care:

• Thin branches and prune annually to develop a strong central leader and open canopy.
• Control competing vegetation within at least a 15-foot radius around trees.
• Irrigate during drought until trees are well-established.
• Apply organic mulch around trees to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
• Protect trees from deer, rodents, and livestock with fencing if needed.
• Monitor for signs of butternut canker and immediately remove diseased wood.
• Harvest nuts promptly before wildlife gets them all!

Growing your own butternut trees from seed takes time and patience, but the rewards are plentiful. You’ll have the satisfaction of preserving these threatened native trees and watching them grow over the years. With their speedy growth, disease-resistance, and abundant nuts, homegrown butternut trees are sure to delight for generations.