Butternut Lumber

Butternut Lumber for Sale

Butternut is a soft hardwood that comes from the walnut family. It grows across the eastern part of the United States and into parts of Canada. People also call it white walnut because the wood looks like a paler cousin of black walnut.

What Butternut Wood Looks Like

The wood has a warm, light tan to soft brown color. The grain is straight and a little coarse, with a soft sheen once you sand it smooth.

You will often see darker streaks running through the boards. These marks give each piece its own look, so no two butternut boards are quite the same.

How Hard and Easy It Is to Work

Butternut is one of the softer hardwoods, so it cuts and shapes with little effort. It sands well, takes glue with no fuss, and holds nails and screws without splitting much.

Because it is soft and light, it is a good pick if you are new to working with hardwood lumber. Hand tools and power tools both move through it with ease.

Good Projects for Butternut Lumber

These lumber boards work great for furniture, cabinets, and trim. The wood is light in weight, so it is a smart choice for pieces you may want to move around.

Many woodworkers also reach for butternut when they want to carve. The soft, even grain takes fine detail well, which makes it a favorite for carved panels and signs.

Finishing and Care

Butternut takes stain and clear finish nicely. A simple oil or wax brings out the grain and leaves a soft, smooth feel under your hand.

Fresh cut, the wood looks pale and light. As the years go by, butternut warms into a deeper golden brown tone, and that rich color only grows stronger with age.