# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Hickory Nut Tree ![hickories](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Carya_Morton_29-U-10.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carya_Morton_29-U-10.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Juglandaceae - **Genus:** Carya ## 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 - **Deep Root Anchor:** Hickories have a strong, deep taproot that helps them stand firm against storms and find water deep underground. - **Nutty Protector:** Hickories grow hard-shelled nuts inside tough husks, protecting their valuable seeds until ready to sprout. - **Timber Toughness:** Hickory wood is incredibly dense and strong, allowing the tree to withstand impacts and strong winds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-40 m - **Spread:** 10-20 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 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. - **Shelter:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to eat any nuts you find without asking an adult first! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify hickories? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Raglan Road Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/raglan-road-park) — Virginia, US · Park ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Hickories: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hickories)