About
Carya ovata, commonly known as shagbark hickory, is a deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. Its distinctive bark peels away in large strips, revealing a grey to brown surface. The compound leaves typically consist of five leaflets and exhibit a golden yellow hue in the fall. In spring, the tree produces male catkins that can grow as long as 12 centimeters. The nuts, encased in a thick shell and measuring up to 6 centimeters in length, become edible once fully mature.
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
- 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
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- E North America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in deep, fertile, humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in situ as soon as ripe; seedlings rapidly develop a deep tap root and resent transplanting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to crown gall, powdery mildews and leaf spot (see leaf damage on woody plants)