New Page 1

Bitternut HickoryCarya cordiformis

Characteristics

Leaves: alternate, pinnately compound having typically 7-9 leaflets, lancelet & curved in shape, with long and pointed tips, margins are toothed, and round or usually tapered around the base, smooth yellowish-green on the top, bottom surface is typically hairy and paler, grows to 6 inches in length and 3 or less inches in width.

Flowers: staminate and pistillate not grouped together, but are both found on the same tree, show up after leaves unfold, tiny, no petals; slender staminate flowers form drooping catkins, and the pistillate flowers are grouped in 1-2 flowers.

Fruit: round in shape, up to 1 1/4 inches in width, thin, yellowish husk, 4 distinct edges extending about halfway across the fruit, somewhat flattened nut with a bitter seed.

Twig: thin, grayish or orangish-brown in color, slick with lenticels present; alternating leaf scars with a shield shape, somewhat raised, typically with numerous bundle traces.

Bark: Brown in color and not very thick, parting into little, plate-like scales or low lying ridges and crevices.

Buds: thin, pointed at the tip, fuzzy, bright yellow buds are spotted with glandular dots, grow to 3/4 of an inch in length.

Form: Grows to height of 75 feet with a trunk width of up to 2 1/2 feet; crown is broad and round and many times irregular in shape; straight un-branched trunk

Habitat: Varied habitat from lowland, wet woodlands to drier hillsides and roadsides

Range: As far North as Southern Ontario through central Minnesota, as far South as Eastern Texas to North-central Florida

Wood description and uses: dense, hard, durable, dark brown in color; used for fuel source & posts.

Distinguishing Features: has bright yellow buds and spherical fruits.

Location: Greenup, IL.

Sources Cited: Mohlenbrock, Robert. (N.D.). Forest Trees of Illinois. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page.