Carya Species, Shagbark Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, Upland Hickory
Caryaovata

Family: Juglandaceae (joo-glan-DAY-see-ee)
Genus: Carya (KAIR-yuh)
Species: ovata (oh-VAY-tuh)

Synonym:Carya ovata var. fraxinifolia

Synonym:Carya ovata var. nuttallii

Synonym:Carya ovata var. pubescens

Synonym:Hicoria alba

Synonym:Hicoria ovata

Category
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Trees

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth

Foliage Color

Height
over 40 ft. (12 m)

Spacing
over 40 ft. (12 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Spring

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
4.5 or below (very acidic)
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored