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mockernut hickory, shagbark hickory
Synonyms:
Carya alba (L.) K. Koch ;
Hicoria alba (L.) Britton ;
Hicoria ovata (P. Mill.) Britt.
Description:
Tree, 18 - 25 m tall, trunk 0.3 - 0.8 m in diameter. Bark gray and smooth when young, developing shaggy strips that curl away from one or both ends. Twigs green to dark red-brown and slightly hairy, becoming gray and smooth. Terminal bud 1.3 - 2 cm long, egg-shaped, with dark brown outer scales peeling slightly to reveal hairy inner scales. Lateral buds are smaller. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 20 - 36 cm long, with 5 leaflets. Leaflets 10 - 15 cm long, 1.3 - 7 cm wide, terminal leaflet largest, narrow oblong or elliptic, margins finely toothed with tiny tufts of white hairs, dark yellow-green above, paler below, turning golden in fall. Foliage releases an apple-like aroma when crushed. Male and female flowers on same plant (monoecious), male flowers in clusters of 3 catkins, 10 - 13 cm long, female flowers in short spikes of 2 - 5. Fruit is a nut surrounded by a husk, 2 - 4 cm long, often slightly wider than long; husk brown to red-brown, nearly spherical; nut 4-ribbed, tan, edible and sweet.
Similar Species:
Carya ovata can be distinguished from other hickories by its shaggy bark, foliage that smells like apples when crushed, 5 leaflets fringed with tufts of hair along the margins, nearly spherical husks that separate from a 4-ridged nut, and large terminal buds with slightly curling outer scales.
Carya cordiformis,
Carya glabra,
Carya laciniosa,
Carya tomentosa
Flowering:
May to early June.
Habitat and Ecology:
A very common species in savannas and glacial moraine hills. Carya ovata is also found along the edges of sedge meadows and wet prairies, and in upland, mesophytic, disturbed, and low woods.
Notes:
Andrew Jackson was named "Old Hickory" after this species, as the tree is considered a symbol of strength. The nuts are sold commercially and the wood is commonly used to smoke meat.
Etymology:
Carya comes from the Greek name for walnut. Ovata comes from the Latin word meaning egg-shaped.
Regional Status:
Native.
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