In North Carolina this is a rare medium-sized tree found primarily in the western Mountain region. Similar to the familiar Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) but smaller, with more elongate fruits, dark brown pith (light brown for Black Walnut), and paler bark. The fragrant leaves have a distinctive walnut odor similar to that of Black Walnut.

Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.

The male flowers are in yellowish-green catkins.

Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.

The bark is the easiest way to differentiate these two similar species. The bark of Butternut is light gray and shallowly furrowed, quite unlike the blackish, rough bark of Black Walnut.

Bark of a small tree.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Bark of a slightly larger tree.

Clay Co., NC 5/22/05.

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.

Bark of a larger tree.

Macon Co., NC 5/13/06.