Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut and Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Carya ovata var. ovata)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-8
About This Tree
A tall, slow-growing hardwood known for its unique smoke-flavored nuts and iconic peeling bark. It exhibits an upright, straight trunk with a narrow, oblong crown and strong, ascending branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound leaves, usually 5 leaflets (rarely 7); 8-14 inches long; leaflets are elliptical with finely serrated margins; medium green turning golden-yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Most distinctive feature: smooth and gray on young trees, becoming shaggy with age as long, thin plates pull away from the trunk at both ends while remaining attached in the middle.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern United States and Southeast Canada
Growing Season
Mid-spring leaf out with distinctive golden buds; flowers in spring; nut maturation in autumn; winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; needs well-drained soil; moderate water requirements; deep taproot provides excellent drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height: 60-80 feet; Spread: 40-60 feet; slow growth rate; lifespan of 200-300 years.
Special Characteristics
Extremely strong and shock-resistant wood used for tool handles; produces edible nuts; bark used for hickory syrup; excellent firewood with high BTU value.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical food source for squirrels, chipmunks, and turkeys; loose bark plates provide essential roosting habitat for female Indiana bats and other small insectivorous birds.