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(Carya texana)
Black Hickory (Carya texana)
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Te Chang
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Te Chang
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Te Chang | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 | Uploader: Hyperik | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Carya_texana_in_Houston,_TX_-_leaves_and_fruit.jpg | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Carya texana, commonly known as Black Hickory, is a deciduous tree native to the dry upland forests and limestone soils of the Central and Southern United States. It typically grows to a height of 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) with a spread of 20-30 feet (6-9 meters). The tree’s bark is dark gray to black, developing a distinctive tight "diamond" pattern as it matures. The foliage consists of compound leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets, which often have a dense coating of scales giving them a rusty brown appearance. Black Hickory produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in the spring. The fruits are oval nuts encased in a thick husk, turning bronze to reddish-brown when ripe, with seeds that vary in taste from sweet to bitter.
Black Hickory is valued for its hard, durable wood and the nuts it produces, which are a food source for wildlife. It is not commonly used in ornamental plantings due to its slow growth rate and the difficulty of transplanting, but it can be found in naturalized areas or native plant gardens. This tree is drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in a range of soil conditions, though it prefers well-drained soils. It requires full sun to part shade for optimal growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Black Hickory is valued for its hard, durable wood and the nuts it produces, which are a food source for wildlife. It is not commonly used in ornamental plantings due to its slow growth rate and the difficulty of transplanting, but it can be found in naturalized areas or native plant gardens. This tree is drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in a range of soil conditions, though it prefers well-drained soils. It requires full sun to part shade for optimal growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 20-50 feet
- Width: 15-30 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Dry upland forests and limestone soils
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Carya texana, Carya arkansana, Carya buckleyi, Carya buckleyi var. arkansana, Carya villosa, Carya texana var. villosa, Hicoria glabra var. villosa, Carya glabra var. villosa, Carya texana var. texana
GBIF Accepted Name: Carya texana C.DC.