While trees and plants have often appeared in Wild Kratts, all 175 episodes so far have featured an animal as the star. “The Butternut Tree” marks the first time in which a tree species becomes the central focus – complete with a Butternut Tree Power Suit and leg roots! This episode is a comical and at the same time suspenseful story about the plight of the endangered butternut tree, a North American tree species which, though largely forgotten and unknown today, has for millennia been critically important to wildlife and indigenous people.
“I encourage everybody to get to know the amazing butternut tree!” says Martin Kratt “Butternut trees produce a squirrel’s favorite nut – the butternut! And these special trees are a critical part of a healthy wildlife community in eastern forests. They are still quietly surviving in our woods despite the challenges they face.”
“As part of the live filming of this episode,” adds Chris Kratt, “we’ve been finding more and more healthy butternut trees, including hundreds of naturally regenerating seedlings!”
The science curriculum of “The Butternut Tree” centers on the life cycle of trees – from seed to seedling to sapling to mature tree, and encourages kids to learn about the trees around them, wherever they live.
“The Butternut Tree” airs April 20th on PBS KIDS (check local listings for times) and is available to stream on PBSKIDS.org and the PBS KIDS Video App!
