Butternut is a warm, inviting wood that has been a favorite of woodworkers for centuries. It has a light tan to pale brown color with a straight, open grain that gives it a soft and natural look that is easy on the eyes and easy to love. It is one of the softer hardwoods which makes it an absolute pleasure to work with by hand, and it carves and shapes beautifully which is why it has long been a top choice for hand carved furniture, decorative panels, and wooden bowls. Despite being soft it has a natural warmth and character that punches well above its weight visually, and it takes stain and finish very well, though most woodworkers prefer a simple oil or clear finish that lets that warm natural tone come through. Butternut is also naturally resistant to decay which makes it a reliable choice for outdoor applications where a lighter wood is needed. It is sometimes called White Walnut because of how closely it resembles walnut in grain pattern, just in a lighter, softer tone.