COMMON NAMES:   Butternut, white walnut

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   0.36 - 0.45

DENSITY:  28 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   6.4%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   3.4%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   10.6%

DURABILITY1:   Moderate to poor

SOURCE:  Eastern U.S. and Canada

DESCRIPTION:   Butternut is considerably softer and lighter than its close relative, black walnut. The heartwood is light tan with pinkish or amber tones, sometimes with darker brown streaks; the narrow sapwood is white. Butternut has a coarser texture than black walnut. It machines easily, but sanding may cause a fuzzy surface unless fine-grit abrasives are used. It finishes well. The figure is virtually identical to black walnut. Used in light-duty furniture applications, cabinets, paneling and trim, but not for applications where it would be subject to denting or abuse.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.