About
Carya cordiformis is a broad, deciduous tree that can grow to heights of 25 meters. Its large, dark green leaves, which can measure up to 30 centimeters in length, emerge from yellow winter buds and are typically composed of seven leaflets, though variations of five or nine leaflets are also observed. In spring, the tree produces yellow-green flowers, which are succeeded by nuts that are rounded or pear-shaped, measuring between 2 to 4 centimeters in length. While the nuts are edible, they possess a bitter taste.
About the genus
Carya comprises robust deciduous trees known for their appealing form. The large, compound leaves display vivid autumn hues. Male flowers appear as catkins, while the female flowers are less noticeable, developing into nuts. Some of these nuts contain edible kernels.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Native to
- NE US
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed; seedlings rapidly develop a deep tap root and resent disturbance so plant out in permanent position in the first year
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to crown gall, powdery mildews and leaf spot- see leaf damage on woody plants