Carya ovata
Table of Contents
Common Name: Shagbark Hickory
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Tracheophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Order: Fagales |
| Family: Juglandaceae |
| Genus: Carya |
| Species: Carya ovata |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Shagbark hickory is well known for its shaggy bark. Thick strips peel upwards, beginning to curl at the edges. The bark is a light gray in color.
This tree grows up to 100’ tall, and has a relatively straight trunk. Its leaves are alternate and compund, between 8 and 14" long, and have between 5 and 7 toothed leaflets. In fall, the leaves turn a golden color.
Habitat & Range
Shagbark hickory is found across much of the eastern and midwestern United States. They can grow in a variety of forest stands.
Life Cycle
The nuts of this tree are 2 1/2" around, round, green to brown, and shelled.
Featured image by James Dake.
Related
Juglans nigra
Black Walnut
Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam
Fagus grandifolia
American Beech