The Butternut Trees Commemorative plaque, 2023
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Resource ID
10517
Access
Open
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2023
Historical Themes
Agricultural History, Indigenous Heritage, Parks and Natural Heritage
Program Category
Historical Plaques
Time Period
Pre-colonization
Caption
The Butternut Trees Commemorative plaque, 2023
Description
Butternut trees (Juglans cinerea), or white walnuts, used to be abundant on the land now known as Toronto. They are medium-sized trees found alone or in small groups in deciduous and mixed forests of southern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Now, it is rare to find butternuts in Toronto.
Butternut trees are named for the colour of their wood and for the tasty nuts they produce. Like other walnut trees, they are an important food source. Beetle, weevil, butterfly, and moth species are dependent on the fruit, and the nut is a delicacy for squirrels and humans alike. Notably, the butternut — akiehwa:ta in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) —provides carving wood used by many Indigenous peoples. The species spread north with the movement of the Haudenosaunee, similar to the black walnut tree.
Due to a tree-killing fungus, butternut trees across Eastern Canada are endangered. The fungus infects the tree’s bark causing cracks, scars, and an oozing black fluid. With no cure, butternuts are cut down to prevent spread or left to rot. To combat extinction, many community groups developed conservation plans to preserve and protect the species. Nearby Butternut Street was named for a grove of trees that used to grow in the area. In 2021, the local residents’ association added a butternut to the Playter Estates street signs.