The nuts of hickory trees are enclosed in a thick, woody husk that splits open when ripe. The nuts are oval-shaped and have a hard, brown shell. The kernels of hickory nuts are edible and have a rich, buttery flavor. Hickory nuts can be eaten raw, roasted, or used in a variety of dishes.

When planting Hickory seeds, they produce 30cms of tap root with only 7cms of thin whispy tree tip growth.