Source: Magness et al. 1971
The butternut tree is large, up to 100 feet, with long compound leaves, with up to 20 oblong-lanceolate, pubescent leaflets. Fruits are up to 5 in clusters, about 3 inches long and ribbed. The nut is oblong, ribbed, with a hard, woody, thick shell. The kernel is separated from the shell with difficult. The fleshy husk which surrounds the nut is difficult to remove. Butternuts are not cultivated in the U.S., but some are gathered from native trees, found from southern Canada to Georgia, and west to the Great Plains.