Butler originated as a seedling from Joseph Butler’s orchard in Oregon, USA and was introduced into cultivation in 1957.
It appears to be a cross between Barcelona and Daviana (USDA, 2010).
It is very vigorous with an erect tree form.
It is free husking, nut drop occurs over a long period.
It is susceptible to bacterial blight and big bud mites.
It drops pollen for a long period early in the season but the female flowers are late.
Butler is very productive, with a tendency to biennial production (USDA, 2010).
Nuts have a high Percent kernel (47 – 49%) with an attractive kernel.
The kernels do not blanch.
They have yielded well in most parts of New Zealand.
Butler has a distinctive blocky nut shape.
It can be distinguished in winter by the erect tree form, and early pollen shedding compared to the late flowering.
The false “Butler”:
An unknown selection has been sold as Butler over the last 10 years.
This appears to be a seedling.
Information is limited but it is easily distinguished from the true Butler.
It forms an open bush of moderate vigour.
Pollen is shed before Merveille de Bollwiller.
Winter buds are green and globular in shape.
Nuts are small, subcylindrical, and thick shelled with a heavy fibre cover.
Back to Varieties