Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.), also called white walnut or oilnut, is a highly valued hardwood species native to eastern North American forests. In 1995 the US Forest Service estimated that 77 percent of the butternuts in the Southeast were dead due to an exotic fungal disease that causes multiple branch and stem cankers.

Across southwestern North Carolina seed has been collected from trees that have survived the disease so far. Trees from this seed are being grown here in hopes of preserving butternuts that are resistant to the disease. Studies like this are conducted to pass healthy forests on to future generations.

White tubes shield the seedlings from deer and other wildlife that might find them tasty. The tubes will be removed as the trees become established.

Partners in the study include the University of Tennessee, North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, USDA Forest Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and USGS Biological Research Division.