Foliage
Bark
Bud
Fruit
Form
Video
Taxonomy
| Family | Juglandaceae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Carya |
| Species | cordiformis |
| Common Name | bitternut hickory |
| iTree Code | CACO15 |
Plant Form
| Form | Tree: narrow crown, long clear trunk |
|---|---|
| Height | 100 feet |
| Spread | 50 feet |
| Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
| Foliage | 5-7 leaflets, serrate, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, base leaflets smaller than terminal leaflet | Leaf Type
 |
Compound - Pinnate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needles | 0 | ||
| Bark | light gray/brown, smooth when young, then lightly textured shallow and narrow fissures with age | ||
| Bud | terminal: sulfur yellow with non-overlapping scales (valvate); lateral: hairy, smaller than terminal | Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
| Twig | moderately stout, gray/brown | ||
| Flower | male: pendulous catkins, yellow/green; female: on short spikes, green; male and female on same tree (monoecious) | ||
| Fruit | nut encased in leathery husk (green then brown), spherical to ovoid in shape; husk with 4 sections (sutures) | ||
| Fall Color | yellow | ||
Site Characteristics
| USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 3a | Min | 5.5 | Soil | Intolerant |
| Max | 8a | Max | 8.0 | Spray | Intolerant |
| Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | High | Unknown |
Species Status
| Nebraska Native |
|
|---|---|
| U.S. Native |
|
| Region of Origin | North America |
| More Information | Visit External Site |