What Is a Hican? The Pecan-Hickory Hybrid Explained

Understanding the Hican: A Unique Nut Hybrid

If you've ever come across a nut that looks like a cross between a pecan and a hickory, you've likely encountered a hican. According to Arty Schronce of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, pecans and hickories are closely related members of the genus Carya, and they can naturally hybridize. The resulting first-generation hybrids—dubbed "hicans"—often display characteristics of both parents: they may have the elongated shape of a pecan but the hard shell of a hickory.

Traits and Value of Hicans

Like all hybrids, hicans inherit a mix of qualities—both good and bad—from their parent species. There are several hickory species, some of which produce nuts that are barely worth the effort to crack and eat. For instance, the mockernut hickory has an extremely thick shell with very little edible meat, earning its name by "mocking" the more desirable shagbark hickory. However, the best hican varieties combine the finest attributes of both parents, offering a nut that is easier to shell than a hickory yet more cold-hardy than a typical pecan. This cold tolerance makes hicans valuable for growers farther north in the United States, where regular pecans struggle to thrive.

Whether you're a home gardener or a commercial grower, hicans represent an intriguing option for expanding nut production into cooler climates while still enjoying a flavorful, substantial kernel.