Images of the Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

Native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, this hickory can live for over 200 years. Mature trees have shaggy gray bark, but the bark of young trees is smooth. The nuts are edible and tasty; they are relished by humans as well as squirrels and other native animals. It is also called Shellbark Hickory, Scalybark Hickory and Upland Hickory.

Habitat:Dry ridgetops and slopes but also found in moist sites.

Growth Habit:Deciduous tree, growing up to 40 m, with straight trunk that usually forks at one-half to two-thirds of treeu2019s height, sprouts vigorously.

Bloom Time:Spring, after leaves have appeared.

Longevity:Lives up to 200 years.

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

Presence in Canada:ON QC

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).