Hickory

Hickory (Carya ovata)

The main two species are Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) and Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa).

A deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 4. It is in leaf 10-Jun It is in flower in June, and the nuts ripen from Oct to November. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.The plant is self-fertile.

The nuts can be eaten raw or cooked and used in pies, cakes, bread etc. Sweet and delicious. The shell is normally thick and hard but in selected cultivars it can be thin. The sap is sweet and it is tapped in spring and can be made into a syrup.

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development.