Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata, Walnut family (Juglandaceae)

Leaves:
Leaves are pinnately compound, 8-14” long. Leaves are yellowish green on top, light green below. Each leaf has 5 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate-shaped with saw-toothed edges. End leaflets are usually much larger than other leaflets (in comparison to Bitternut Hickory with leaflets all about the same size).

Bark:
Bark is very shaggy, peels off in long vertical strips.

Flowers:
Separate male and female flowers on same tree. Flowers are very small and greenish, wind-pollinated. Flowers produced in early spring before leaves.

Fruit:
Nuts enclosed in thick yellowish husk. Nuts are egg-shaped. Shagbark Hickory nuts are larger and rounder and have thicker husts than Bitternut Hickory nuts.


Shagbark Hickory leaves. (photo source #5)


Shagbark hickory leaf.
(photo source #6)

Shagbark Hickory nuts.
(photo source #7)


Bark of older trees peels off in long vertical strips.
(photo source #5)


Photo Sources:
5.  Fox, V., DePauw University
6.  Harlow, W.M.  1957.  Trees of the eastern and central United States and Canada.  Dover Publications, Inc., New York.
7.  Little, E. L.  1995.  National Audubon Society field guide to North American trees, eastern region.  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.