TD Tree BeeForests Canada

Elizabeth Moss, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org

Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

Native

The Shagbark hickory is a large tree; typically growing 20-30 meters tall. It is native to Southern Ontario, along the St. Lawrence river and into Quebec. It enjoys rich, moist sites, mixed with other trees and grows well on hillsides and valleys. It gets its name from its shaggy bark and is often confused with shellbark hickory, but is a smaller tree, and has smaller leaves and nuts. The nuts are an important food source for wildlife.

Leaf

Compound and pinnately divided into 5 leaflets. Yellowish-green above and paler and almost hairless underneath. 15-30 cm long. Largest leaflet at tip.

Fruit/Seed

Round, greenish to dark reddish-brown fragrant nuts. Woody husk that splits into 4.

Bark

Mature bark dark grey, shaggy with long, peeling plates.

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158Species

Shagbark Hickory | Tree Bee