Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata): Majestic Native with Striking Bark

Shagbark hickory is a large, long-lived deciduous tree native to eastern North America, famous for its distinctive bark that peels in long, vertical strips, giving the trunk a shaggy appearance. It produces edible nuts prized by wildlife and humans, and its wood is among the hardest and strongest of native hardwoods.

Botanical Profile

• Family: Juglandaceae (walnut family)
• Genus: Carya
• Species: ovata
• Synonyms: C. ovata var. fraxinifolia, C. ovata var. nuttallii, C. ovata var. pubescens, Hicoria alba, H. ovata

Growth and Appearance

Grows 70–90 feet tall (occasionally 120 feet) with a straight trunk and narrow, irregular crown. Bark on mature trees separates into long, thick, curving plates that detach at both ends. Leaves are pinnately compound, 5 leaflets, turning golden-yellow in fall. Nuts are 1–2 inches, enclosed in a thick, four-ribbed husk that splits open at maturity. Kernel is sweet and edible.

Culture and Ecology

Prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils but adapts to drier uplands. Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Slow-growing; taproot makes transplanting difficult. Nuts feed squirrels, chipmunks, turkeys, and many birds. Wood used for tool handles, furniture, flooring, and smoke flavoring.

Landscape Uses

Shade tree for large properties, natural areas, nut orchards, wildlife plantings. Not for small yards due to size, nut litter, and slow growth. Plant where its bark can be appreciated year-round.