Scientific Name: Carya ovata
Common Name: hickory or shagbark hickory
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 4 to 8
Plant type & Form: Deciduous tree with an irregular, oval-rounded crown
Height: 70.00 to 90.00 feet
Spread: 50.00 to 70.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow
Flower: Insignificant, catkins (male) and short spikes (female)
Fruit: Edible, oval-rounded nuts in thick husks
Leaf: Smooth, medium yellow-green, odd-pinnate, compound leaves with finely-toothed, broadly-lance shaped pointed leaflets – good yellow to golden brown color in fall
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Soil type & pH: Prefers humusy, rich, moist, well-drained loams
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Shade tree, Winter Interest
Tolerates: Clay soil, Black Walnut
Notes: This tree needs a large space to grow and can be difficult to transplant because it has a deep taproot. The wood is very hard and is used for a variety of purposes including smoking meats, fuel/firewood, and for building tools and furniture.
Identification notes: The gray bark is smooth when young and as it matures, it exfoliates in long strips. Look for large, ovate compound leaves.
Information gathered from Missouri Botanical Garden
