Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory

Family: Juglandaceae

Native region: Eastern US and Eastern Canada

Plant Community: Oak Hickory

Size: 70-90′ tall, 50-70′ wide

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Habitat: Found in forests, ridges or ledges, woodlands, but thrives in rich, humusy loams that are dry-moist to moist and well-drained. It prefers full sun to part shade. It can also survive in clay soils.

Notes: This species has a taproot so should be planted young and not transplanted. It also requires a large amount of room which should be accounted for.

Leaf: Yellow-green in summer, transitioning to yellow in the fall.

Flowers: Greenish-yellow male catkins and female short spikes, then nuts encased in a husk. Bloom time is April to May.

Ecosystem services: This species is a good anchor for large sites that lack shade. Because of it size, this species serves as a good shade tree in areas of moderately rich or clay soil that have high amounts of sun in the summer.