Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Nut Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (no specific cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Adaptable to a wide range of climates within the eastern half of the US.
About This Tree
A large, slender tree with a straight trunk and a broad, rounded crown. It is known for its relatively fast growth for a hickory and its distinctive bright yellow, scurfy winter buds. It typically maintains a symmetrical, attractive form in open landscapes.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, 7-11 inches long with 7 to 9 leaflets (sometimes 11). Leaflets are lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, finely serrated, and bright green. Arrangement is alternate. They turn a clear, bright yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown and relatively smooth when young, becoming shallowly furrowed into tight, interlacing ridges and narrow plates with age. It does not shaggy or peel like the Shagbark Hickory.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America, from Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring; flowers (catkins) appear in May or June; nuts ripen in September to October; enters dormancy after shedding leaves in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade. Moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best in moist, well-drained loamy soils. It is often found in bottomlands and moist woods.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60-80 feet with a spread of 30-50 feet. Growth rate is moderate. Can live up to 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces nuts with a very bitter meat that is generally inedible for humans. High timber value for tool handles, fuel, and smoking meats. Noted for exceptional yellow fall color and unique sulphur-yellow winter buds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides food for squirrels, rabbits, and some birds, though the bitter taste makes it a secondary choice to other hickories. Host plant for various butterfly and moth larvae, including the Luna Moth.