Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Nut Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Carya cordiformis var. cordiformis)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; very adaptable across a wide range of temperatures and humidities.
About This Tree
A large, slender tree with a straight trunk and a rounded, irregular crown. Known for its rapid growth compared to other hickories and its distinct bright yellow winter buds. It produces small, bitter-tasting nuts with thin shells.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, 6-10 inches long with 7 to 9 leaflets. Leaflets are lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, serrated, bright green above and paler beneath. Leaves turn a clear, golden-yellow in the fall.
Bark Characteristics
Gray to light brown; remains relatively smooth for many years before developing shallow, tight furrows and narrow, interlacing ridges. It does not shaggy like the Shagbark Hickory.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America, from Ontario to Florida and west to Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (May); flowers in spring; nuts ripen in autumn (September-October); enters dormancy in late fall after yellow foliage phase.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained bottomlands but is highly adaptable to drier upland sites and poor soils.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60-80 feet with a spread of 30-50 feet. Growth rate is moderate; lifespan typically ranges from 150 to 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Distinctive sulfur-yellow winter buds make it easy to identify. Wood is heavy and hard, often used for tool handles and smoking meats for flavor. High salt tolerance compared to other hickories.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides essential mast (nuts) for squirrels, chipmunks, and deer, though nuts are bitter. Host plant for various moth larvae, including the Luna Moth. Cavities provide nesting sites for various bird species.