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bitternut hickory

bitternut hickory

Carya cordiformis

tree☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 2a – Zone 9b

A native hardwood tree valued for its hard wood and edible nuts enclosed in a thin, bitter husk. It develops golden-yellow fall color and tolerates a range of soil conditions.

Overview

Form
Pyramidal
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
50–75′ tall × 30–50′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

high

Flood Tolerance

low
Zone 2aZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 2a to Zone 9b

pH Range

4.87.4
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 4.8 to 7.4

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringFall

Succession Role

mid successionalclimax

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Function & Care

biomass/mulchediblewildlife benefit

Edible Parts

nut

Establishment & Care

Establishment
moderate
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
10 years
Propagation
seed