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Oval
Slow
Carya laciniosa
60' - 80'
2' - 3'
A native of moist bottomlands and floodplains of the United States, the shellbark hickory was once a common sight. Only few stand in nature today, but when you do encounter one, it is a memorable sight. Drooping lower branches. Large yellow-green leaves. Shaggy bark curling up at the ends.
While this nut tree is not very widely planted, you needn’t shy away. It’s a slow grower to be sure, but the long-living shellbark hickory will reward patient tree planters with strong limbs, few natural pests, low maintenance, and large nuts.
Full Sun
Acidic, Alkaline, Clay, Drought, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Wet
The leaves of the shellbark hickory are eaten by deer and other browsers while the nuts are consumed by deer, bears, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, wild turkey and other animals. It provides nutrition for bees in early to late spring.
The shellbark hickory played a role in forging our nation. Its tough, shock-resistant wood was used to make gunstocks, ramrods and tool handles. This hickory tree also provided food on the frontier and dozens of useful products and medicines.
