Bush Butternut/White Walnut

Douglas Fir

Species

Juglans cinerea

Family

Juglandaceae

Campus Location

Northern edge of Great Lawn on West Campus

Native Range

Midwest and northeast United States

Description

  • The tree on the Capitol Campus began to produce nuts in 2014.
  • Deciduous, with a typical height of 60 to 100 feet.
  • Susceptible to cankers and leaf blister mites.
  • Landscape uses include specimen, shade tree and nut production.

History and significance:
The tree is named after Black pioneer George Bush, who led wagon trains of families from Missouri across the Oregon Trail to establish the first non-Indigenous American settlement in the Washington Territory. Bush staked a claim to farm 640 acres south of Tumwater. Though Michael T. Simmons is credited with founding Tumwater, the Bush-Simmons party arrived together and Bush was also key in its establishment. Learn more about George Bush.

The original Bush butternut tree on his farmland was 176 years old when it collapsed from age in 2021. This tree was a sapling from the original Bush butternut tree and was transplanted to the west campus. It remains a symbol of Bush’s impact on Washington.

Other Resources