Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut Tree / Shade Tree / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species, no specific widely cultivated garden cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8
About This Tree
A large, stately deciduous tree known for its distinct peeling, shaggy bark, straight trunk, and dense, oblong crown
Leaf Characteristics
Compound leaves typically with 5 leaflets, alternate arrangement, finely serrated margins, turning golden bronze in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to dark gray bark that exfoliates in long, curved plates, giving a distinctly shaggy appearance that becomes more pronounced with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America, well-adapted to temperate forest zones
Growing Season
Spring leaf out in late April to May, flowers in mid-spring, nuts mature in autumn, dormancy through winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, moderate watering needs, highly resilient once established with moderate drought tolerance
Mature Size
Height of 70 to 90 feet, spread of 50 to 70 feet, slow to moderate growth rate, long lifespan exceeding 200 years
Special Characteristics
Produces edible, highly flavorful nuts, exceptionally hard and tough timber, distinctive shaggy ornamental bark, rich golden-brown fall color
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides a vital food source of nuts for squirrels, chipmunks, turkeys, and bears; dense canopy and peeling bark offer nesting sites and roosting cover for bats and birds