Hickory Tree: Identifying Characteristics, Types And Uses

Hickory is a type of deciduous tree in the genus Carya, which belongs to the walnut family (Juglandaceae). About 15 species of hickory are native to North America and 3 to eastern Asia. The species of hickory tree are known for their tough, durable wood, which is commonly used for smoking meat, timber and making tool handles, among other applications.
Hickory trees can grow to be quite tall, with some species reaching heights of up to 120 feet (about 36.5 meters). However, the height of a hickory tree can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. On average, hickory trees can grow to be 60-100 feet tall. Depending with the environmental conditions the hickory tree grows in, it can live beyond 200 years.
The shape of the leaflets can be oval or lance-shaped, and they have serrated or toothed edges. The color of the leaves is typically a bright green in the spring and summer, changing to yellow or brown in the fall before they are shed for the winter.
Hickory flowers are small, yellow-green catkins produced in spring. The trees are monoecious, meaning they have separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are small, yellow-green spikes that appear on the branches in the early spring, before the leaves emerge. The female flowers are small and inconspicuous, and they are typically located near the base of the leaves. After pollination, the female flowers develop into nuts that mature and ripen in the fall.
The fruit or nut is encased in a hard, woody shell. The nut is a type of drupe, a fleshy fruit containing a kernel or single seed surrounded by a husk. The nuts are oval or oblong in shape and range in size from 1-2 inches in length. They have a rich, buttery flavor that is popular in cooking and baking, and they are a valuable food source for wildlife, including squirrels, chipmunks, and blue jays.
The nuts are typically produced in the fall, and they can be harvested from the ground or from the tree. At maturity, the fleshy husk splits into four woody valves as it matures.
The bark of hickory trees is grayish to gray-brown in color and has a distinctive pattern of ridges and furrows.
As the tree ages, the bark can become deeply furrowed and develop a shaggy appearance. This rough texture helps to protect the tree from damage and provides a suitable habitat for many species of lichen and moss.
Types of Hickory Trees
The most common varieties of hickory trees in Europe and North America are:
1. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)
2. Pignut hickory (Carya glabra)
3. Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)
4. Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa)
5. Water hickory (Carya aquatica)
6. Sand hickory (Carya palida)
7. Black hickory (Carya texana)
8. Nutmeg hickory (Carya myristiciformis)
9. Scarlet hickory (Carya ovalis)
10. Shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa)
11. Red hickory (Carya ovalis var. ovata)
12. White hickory (Carya alba)
Each species has distinct characteristics such as leaf shape, nut size, and bark texture. In out next video I will be looking at all varieties of hickory together with their visibly identifying features.