Our Nut Tree Collection includes well known nut-bearing trees such as hickory, black walnut, and butternut. Each of these trees plays a vital role of importance in human culture, and in their ecosystems to which they are native.
Shag-bark hickory: This species of hickory is native to the North-eastern United States and Southern Canada. Hickory trees are valued for their edible nuts, and high-quality lumber and firewood. Historically shag bark hickory was valued by Native American and European settlers as a source of food and yellow dye made from the fruit husks. Nuts also serve as an important food source for wild birds and mammals.
Black walnut: The American black walnut is native to the North-eastern United States. The wood of the black walnut has been prized for construction of fine furniture, gun stocks and sculptures. Additionally, the nuts of the american black walnut are edible and can be used in baking or eaten as is. The husks from the shells can also be used as a fabric dye, adding a brown tone to fabrics.
Butternut: Native to the Central United States, the butternut, or white walnut, is a frequently harvested as a food and medicinal crop. Historically the bark from the butternut was used by European colonists and Native Americans as a tea to treat tooth-aches.
Viles Arboretum
153 Hospital Street Augusta, Maine, 04330
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