Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Juglandaceae (Walnut family)
Tree Category
Nut Tree, Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (Carya ovata var. ovata)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4a to 8b. Tolerates severe winter cold down to -30°F (-34°C).
About This Tree
A large, upright, slow-growing deciduous forest tree featuring an oblong to narrow-oval crown with stout, ascending branches. Famous for its shaggy, flaking bark that separates in long vertical plates, and producing sweet, edible hickory nuts enclosed in thick husks.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, palmately-like pinnately compound leaves (usually 5 leaflets, occasionally 7). The terminal three leaflets are significantly larger than the basal pair. Leaflets are obovate to lanceolate with finely serrated (ciliate-margined) edges, dark green above and paler underneath, turning a striking golden-bronze to yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and light gray. As it matures, it develops long, tough, vertical gray plates that curl outward at both top and bottom, giving the trunk a distinctively shaggy, loose appearance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southeast Canada)
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (May); flowers in spring (April-May); fruits ripen in autumn (September-October); drops leaves and enters winter dormancy late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils, but displays strong drought tolerance once established due to its deep taproot.
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 60 to 80 feet (up to 100+ feet in wild forests) with a canopy spread of 30 to 50 feet. Growth rate is slow (under 12 inches per year). Typical lifespan ranges from 200 to 350+ years.
Special Characteristics
Extremely dense, hard, and shock-resistant wood valued for tool handles, ladder rungs, and sports gear. Superior fuel wood and wood-smoking charcoal that imparts a signature flavor. Highly prized edible nuts with sweet flavor.
Wildlife & Ecology
Ecologically vital species providing critical food (nuts/mast) for squirrels, chipmunks, wild turkeys, ducks, and blue jays. Loose bark provides crucial roosting habitat for bats (such as the endangered Indiana Bat) and nesting shelter for small mammals and birds.