A slender shade tree, bitter-nut hickory is one of the largest hickories, growing 50-100 ft. tall. This is the most rapid growing of all hickory trees. In manicured areas, the small nuts can be a nuisance. Unlike other hickories, this species casts an open shade, allowing turf or ornamentals to thrive underneath. Suffers from soil compaction and is sometimes weakened by its branching structure. Bitter-nut hickory typically develops several primary ascending limbs, forming an arched shape. The deciduous tree produces long, graceful catkins and large, hard-shelled nuts. The pinnately compound leaves attain a bright, clear yellow early in the fall. It holds its fall foliage longer than other hickories. [Adapted from wildflower.org]
Larval Host for the
50-80'
30-50'
SIZE
SOIL
Humus, Rich, Medium, Wet, Well-Drained
LIGHT
Part Shade, Sun
BENEFITS
Moths
NOTES
Nuts are bitter and squirrels tend to avoid them. Serves as a primary host for some magnificent moths -- serves over 200 species of caterpillars!
Needs lots of space and difficult to transplant due to a long taproot. Intolerant of shade, but tolerates Black Walnuts nearby.
Wood is strong and has been used in the past for yokes, wheels, tool handles, ladders and furniture.
CHARACTERISTICS
Keystone Species, Straight Trunk, Tall, Deep Rooted, Tolerates Underplantings, Fall Color, Tolerates Black Walnut
April, May
Large Tree
This
flowers in
Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
A slender shade tree, bitter-nut hickory is one of the largest hickories, growing 50-100 ft. tall. This is the most rapid growing of all hickory trees. In manicured areas, the small nuts can be a nuisance. Unlike other hickories, this species casts an open shade, allowing turf or ornamentals to thrive underneath. Suffers from soil compaction and is sometimes weakened by its branching structure. Bitter-nut hickory typically develops several primary ascending limbs, forming an arched shape. The deciduous tree produces long, graceful catkins and large, hard-shelled nuts. The pinnately compound leaves attain a bright, clear yellow early in the fall. It holds its fall foliage longer than other hickories. [Adapted from wildflower.org]