hickories
ExploreTrees
hickories
Carya
Hickory trees are strong and tall, known for their tasty nuts! They grow in many places and are great for making furniture and tools because of their hard wood.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The hickories are majestic deciduous trees with strong, often shaggy bark that can peel in vertical strips, especially on older trees. Their large, pinnately compound leaves turn vibrant yellow or gold in autumn. They produce hard, round or oval nuts encased in thick, splitting husks.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyJuglandaceaeGenusCarya
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Certain hickories are called 'shagbark' because their bark peels off in long, curling strips. Wow!
Hickory nuts are a super important winter food for squirrels, deer, and many birds. Wow!
Native Americans used hickory bark and wood for building, tools, and even medicinal teas. Wow!
Some hickory species, like pecan, are cultivated for their delicious, buttery nuts! Wow!
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Root Anchor
Hickories have a strong, deep taproot that helps them stand firm against storms and find water deep underground.
Ability
Nutty Protector
Hickories grow hard-shelled nuts inside tough husks, protecting their valuable seeds until ready to sprout.
Ability
Timber Toughness
Hickory wood is incredibly dense and strong, allowing the tree to withstand impacts and strong winds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-40 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-20 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 60-120 cm
- Lifespan
- 200-350 years
- Fruit Type
- Hard-shelled nut within a husk
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
Eastern Grey Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Stashes hickory nuts for winter.
shelters
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
Roosts under the loose bark of shagbark hickories.
eaten by
Humans
Homo sapiens
Harvests and eats the nutritious hickory nuts.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
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.
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.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
Hickory Nut Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Be careful not to eat any nuts you find without asking an adult first!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is hickories?
20-40 m
How wide does hickories spread?
10-20 m
Is hickories edible?
Yes
How big is hickories?
60-120 cm
How long does hickories live?
200-350 years
Where is hickories usually found?
Forests
What kind of fruit does hickories produce?
Hard-shelled nut within a husk
How fast does hickories grow?
Medium
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