August 25, 2000

     Butternuts

Butternut trees are native from New Brunswick to Georgia and west to the Dakotas and Arkansas.  In Minnesota, the trees grow in rich forests and on the lower slopes of hills in the valleys of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.  The tree grows to about 45 feet and has pinnately compound leaves.  It is planted for its shade and edible nuts but is hardy only in southern Minnesota.

The oblong, sticky fruits should be gathered when they fall.  The green outer husk of the nut, which once was used for dyeing cloth yellow or orange, is difficult to remove.  It can be taken off with a hammer or by running a heavy object, such as a car, over it.  After removing the husk, nuts should be dried for several months before cracking them; they are worth this unusual amount of trouble to obtain as they have a fine quality and distinctive flavor.