Water Hickory, Bitter Pecan, Swamp Hickory
Caryaaquatica

Family: Juglandaceae (joo-glan-DAY-see-ee)
Genus: Carya (KAIR-yuh)
Species: aquatica (a-KWA-tee-kuh)

Synonym:Carya aquatica var. australis

Synonym:Hicoria aquatica

Category
Trees

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth

Foliage Color

Height
over 40 ft. (12 m)

Spacing
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)

Hardiness
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)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Spring

Other details

Soil pH requirements
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

Propagation Methods
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored