bitternut hickory
ExplorePlants
bitternut hickory
Carya cordiformis
The bitternut hickory is a tall tree with beautiful leaves and tasty nuts. It grows in forests and is loved by many animals who eat its nuts!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The bitternut hickory is a tall, slender tree with smooth, gray bark that becomes furrowed with age. Its most distinctive feature is the striking bright yellow, sulfur-colored buds that stand out in winter. It produces small, thin leaves and unique yellow, egg-shaped nuts with four prominent wings.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyJuglandaceaeGenusCarya
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bitternut hickory nuts are so bitter, even most squirrels only eat them when truly starving!
Despite the bitter nuts, its strong wood is perfect for making things like tool handles and furniture!
Its bright yellow buds look like tiny pieces of sunshine, glowing even in snowy winter!
Native Americans once used the tree's bark to make a yellow dye for baskets and cloth!
Special abilities
Ability
Bitter Guardian
Bitternut hickory has extremely bitter nuts that discourage most animals from eating them, helping its seeds survive.
Ability
Sulfur Signal
Its striking yellow buds glow in winter, allowing easy identification even when its leaves have fallen.
Ability
Wet Feet Warrior
This tree can grow in damp soils and even floodplains, thriving where other trees might struggle to survive.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1500-3500 cm
- Spread
- 1000-1500 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
eats its bitter nuts, often burying them for later.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on young twigs and leaves during winter.
eats
Fall webworm
Hyphantria cunea
larvae consume its leaves, creating visible silken webs.
shelters
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
often excavates nesting cavities in its large trunks.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Nut Bearing
Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Be careful not to climb too high in trees. Always ask an adult for help!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is bitternut hickory?
1500-3500 cm
How wide does bitternut hickory spread?
1000-1500 cm
When does bitternut hickory bloom?
Spring
Is bitternut hickory edible?
No
Is bitternut hickory toxic?
None
What is bitternut hickory's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is bitternut hickory pollinated?
Wind
Where is bitternut hickory usually found?
Forests
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