Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Juglandaceae
Native Range: Eastern and Central North America
Leaf: deciduous, alternate and compound with five (occasionally seven) leaflets, leaflets are finely toothed
Twig and Bud: twigs are stout with large buds
Flower, Fruit and Seed: fruit is a nut with hard husk that splits into quarters
Bark: shaggy with long peeling strips of bark on mature trees, young trees have smooth and striated bark
Shape and Mature Height: irregular oval crown, 70-90 feet
Garden Value and Considerations
Shagbark hickory can tolerate a variety of soil types. They grow in part shade to full sun. Shagbark hickory leaves turn yellow to golden-brown in the fall and the exfoliating bark has multi-season interest.
Notes
This native tree grows in moist lowlands to dry upland habitats. Hickory nuts are an important food source for wildlife. They are so relished by squirrels and other animals that the nuts are quickly rendered to nothing more than piles of chewed husks. Hickories also serve as a host plant for more than 200 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars.
