Managing Butternut

Butternut trees contribute to the overall species diversity of each woodlot in which they occur. These trees produce nuts which are a valuable source of food for deer, birds, squirrels, rabbits and other wildlife. Currently there is no known cure or treatment for butternut canker, nor is it known exactly how the disease is spread.

Trees free of cankers, or those infected yet growing vigorously, should be left in the forest to reproduce. Infected trees should be carefully assessed before deciding to remove them from the stand. Guidelines devised by the USDA Forest Service suggest retaining butternut trees with greater than 70% live crown and less than 20% of the trunk and root flares affected by canker. The guidelines also suggest retaining trees which have at least 50% live crown but no stem canker damage. Trees that do not meet these criteria, plus any dead trees, may be removed.

By properly managing a woodlot, the conditions for butternut survival and reproduction can be attained. In this article, you will find information on the managment of woodlots for the protection and retention of butternut, including managment strategies that encompass planting, tending, and modern harvesting practices.

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	FGCA > Conservation of Genetic Diversity > Species at Risk > Butternut > Conservation > Get Involved
	Managing Butternut Butternut trees contribute to the overall species diversity of each woodlot in which they occur. These trees produce nuts which are a valuable source of food for deer, birds, squirrels, rabbits and other wildlife. Currently there is no known cure or treatment for butternut canker, nor is it known exactly how the disease is spread. Trees free of cankers, or those infected yet growing vigorously, should be left in the forest to reproduce. Infected trees should be carefully assessed before deciding to remove them from the stand. Guidelines devised by the USDA Forest Service suggest retaining butternut trees with greater than 70% live crown and less than 20% of the trunk and root flares affected by canker. The guidelines also suggest retaining trees which have at least 50% live crown but no stem canker damage. Trees that do not meet these criteria, plus any dead trees, may be removed. By properly managing a woodlot, the conditions for butternut survival and reproduction can be attained. In this article, you will find information on the managment of woodlots for the protection and retention of butternut, including managment strategies that encompass planting, tending, and modern harvesting practices. Page < 1 2 3 >