Carya ovata – Shagbark hickory, Shellbark hickory

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  3. Carya ovata
Juglandaceae

Carya ovata – Shagbark hickory, Shellbark hickory

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Originates from the centre and east of North America. There it forms a broad pyramidal to rounded tree with hanging branches. At maximum height the crown is 15 - 20 m wide. The bark is coloured grey to grey-brown. When the tree is older the bark flakes off in long, thin, vertical plates. The large and ornamental leaf is compound and consists of 5 narrow leaf segments. The top leaf segment is an elongated ovoid shape, the rest are long. The autumn colour is golden yellow. The long, male, greenish-yellow catkins and the female flower ears appear in May after the leaves. They are grouped together at the end of the shoots. In the autumn the tree produces hard-shelled edible nuts, approx. 6 cm in size. Carya has a deep root system. The tree is very seldom cultivated. The remarkably characteristic flaking bark plates, very curled at the ends, are not seen on Carya ovata until the tree is more than twenty years old.

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Specifications
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Height
20 - 25 (30) m
Crown
broad pyramidal to rounded, half-open crown
Bark and branches
grey-brown, flaking off in long thin plates
Leaf
imparipinnate, 10 - 25 cm, long leaf segments, green, feathered leaf
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
♂ catkins light green, 8 - 12 cm, ♀ flowers in pairs, May
Fruits
round nut in husk, Ø 2-6 cm, edible fruits
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
rich, well-drained soil
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
5b (-26,0 to -23,4 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Shape
clearstem tree
Origin
eastern and central part of North-America
Synonyms
Carya alba NUTT
Clear stem tree acid soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) can withstand wind 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green green average growing Feathered leaf all species Attractive autumn colour valuable for bees (honey plant) non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit Edible fruits
Frequently asked questions
Carya ovata

Carya ovata can eventually reach a height of 20 - 25 (30) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Carya ovata is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 20 - 25 (30) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Carya ovata turn yellow in autumn.

The right time to plant Carya ovata is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Carya ovata with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Carya ovata blooms in may.
General