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Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

EdibleZones 48canopy

Carya ovata, the shagbark hickory, is a common hickory native to eastern North America, with two varieties. The trees can grow to quite a large size but are unreliable in their fruit output. The nut is consumed by wildlife and historically by Native Americans, who also used the wood.

Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

At a glance

Sunlight
Full sun
Water need
Medium
Mature height
20 m
Maintenance
Low
Hardiness
USDA 4–8
Layers
canopy

Functional roles

foodnutwildlife

Propagation

How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.

seedhard

When: Sow fresh nuts autumn

Superb sweet nuts and tappable sweet sap; slow and long-lived, a gift for the next generation.

Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.