Pignut Hickory
Carya glabra · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae
Tree Category
Nut/Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Carya glabra var. glabra)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; tolerant of cold winters and humid summers.
About This Tree
A slow-growing, large tree with an oval or pear-formed crown and long, pendulous branches. The fruit shown is a pear-shaped husk containing a hard-shelled nut.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound, usually 5 to 7 leaflets. Leaflets are lanceolate to ovate, finely serrated, dark green and smooth on top, turning bright golden yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and gray when young, becoming dark gray and deeply furrowed into narrow, interlacing ridges that rarely peel (unlike Shagbark Hickory).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central United States, common in hardwood forests from Maine to Florida and west to Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (May); flowers in spring; fruit ripens in September-October; goes dormant in November with yellow fall foliage.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained, acidic soil. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Mature height of 50 to 80 feet with a spread of 30 to 40 feet. Slow growth rate with a lifespan exceeding 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Extremely strong, shock-resistant wood historically used for tool handles and wagon wheels. The fruit husk is thin and typically does not split all the way to the base.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical food source for squirrels, chipmunks, bears, and wild turkeys. Host plant for the Luna Moth and several species of underwing moths.