Pignut Hickory
(Carya glabra)
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
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Krzysztof Golik
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Krzysztof Golik
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Krzysztof Golik | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Tournasol7 | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Carya_glabra_in_Hackfalls_Arboretum_(2).jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carya glabra, commonly known as Pignut Hickory, is a deciduous tree native to the mesophytic hardwood forests of the Eastern United States and Ontario. It is a component of the oak-hickory forest association but is less abundant than some other hickories. Typically, Pignut Hickory reaches heights of 24 to 27 meters (80 to 90 feet) and is recognized by its smooth gray bark and narrow, oblong crown. The tree produces inconspicuous greenish flowers in the spring, followed by pear-shaped nuts that ripen in September and October. These nuts have a sweet, maple-like smell and are a crucial food source for wildlife. The leaves of Pignut Hickory turn a striking yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest to landscapes.
Pignut Hickory is valued for its hard, dense wood, which is used for products such as tool handles and fuel for home heating. Its nuts are highly sought after by squirrels, comprising a significant portion of their diet. While not commonly planted as an ornamental due to its size and transplanting challenges, it serves as an important shade tree in wooded suburban areas, where its spectacular orangey-red fall colors can be appreciated. For successful cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, medium water, and well-drained soils. It is relatively free of serious pests and diseases, but it can suffer from hickory bark beetle attacks.CC BY-SA 4.0
Pignut Hickory is valued for its hard, dense wood, which is used for products such as tool handles and fuel for home heating. Its nuts are highly sought after by squirrels, comprising a significant portion of their diet. While not commonly planted as an ornamental due to its size and transplanting challenges, it serves as an important shade tree in wooded suburban areas, where its spectacular orangey-red fall colors can be appreciated. For successful cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, medium water, and well-drained soils. It is relatively free of serious pests and diseases, but it can suffer from hickory bark beetle attacks.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 50-80 feet
- Width: 25-40 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant
Natural Habitat
Mesophytic hardwood forests of the Eastern United States and Ontario
Other Names
Common Names: Sweet Pignut, Ferkelnuß, Svinnötshickory
Scientific Names: , Carya glabra, Carya glabra var. glabra, Carya glabra var. megacarpa, Carya glabra var. hirsuta, Carya porcina, Carya ovalis var. obcordata, Carya leiodermis, Carya glabra subsp. megacarpa, Carya microcarpa
GBIF Accepted Name: Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet