Here is a message from WCA member Paul Misko.
Rolf's great posting about Snyder Hollow mentioned the woman who had butternuts spread out to dry. The butternut tree was once more common in our valley, but now are quite rare here. The leaves and wood are similar to that of the black walnut tree, and it is even referred to as "blonde walnut". Most of them were harvested for its wood by one of the many mills in the valley many years ago. The wood is mostly used for furniture, and the nuts are edible, sweet, and sticky when harvested.
Records are kept of the largest trees of each species in both nationwide, and statewide categories, with the record breakers being referred to as "champion" trees. I've been trying to find the largest trees of each species in Woodland Valley and I think I have located a few record breakers. Here is a picture of a giant butternut tree I found while mapping bark roads one day. It comes close to the record for New York state. Where is it?.....All I'll say it that its in the upper end of our valley. If you find a bigger butternut, or a champion of another species, let us know.
Paul Misko
