Images of the Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, this large tree produces distinctive bright yellow winter buds. Native Americans used the hard, durable wood of this species for making hunting bows and for smoking game. It is also called Swamp Hickory or Pignut.

Habitat:Grows in moist mountain valleys but also on dry sites and poor soils.

Growth Habit:Deciduous tree, growing up to 30 m tall with open crown.

Bloom Time:Mid-spring, male flowers emerge before the female.

Longevity:Lives to 200 years.

Presence in US:AL AR CT DC DE FL GA IA IL IN KS KY LA MA MD MI MN MO MS NC NE NH NJ NY OH OK PA RI SC TN TX VA VT

Presence in Canada:ON QC

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This project was supported in part by NSF Grant IIS-03-25867 (ITR: An Electronic Field Guide: Plant Exploration and Discovery in the 21st Century) and by the Washington Biologists' Field Club.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views, opinions, or policy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).