Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Leaf:

	Leaves are alternate in arrangement and pinnately compound, and have five to seven leaflets.
	The shape of the leaflets are ovate, obovate, or or not so ordinarily lance shaped.
	The leaflets are usually pointed at the tip and tapering to the base of the stem.
	The leaflets are up to ten inches long and five inches wide, and they are finely toothed along the edges.
	At the tip of each tooth there is a miniscule tuft of hairs.
	The leaflets are green or yellowish green and smooth on the upper surface and paler and smooth.
	The leaflets can be somewhat hairy on the lower surface.

Bark:

	The bark of the tree is gray and it separates into long, shreddy scales that gives the trunk a shaggy appearance.
	The younger trees appear smoother.

Flowers:

	The flowers staminate (male part) and pistillate (female part) are borne separately, but they are on the same tree.
	The flowers begin to appear after the leaves unflold.
	They are small and have no petals.
	The pistallate is in groups of two to five.

Fruit:

	The fruit is spherical and on occasion is in a punching bag like shape.
	The fruit can be up to two inches across.
	The husk ranges from yellow green to reddish brown and can be up to a half inch thick.
	The fruit is split all the way to the base.
	The nut is four-angled, almost completely white, and has a sweet seed.

Form:

	The tree can be medium-large and can be up to 80 feet tall.
	The diameter of the trunk can be up to three and a half feet.
	The top of the tree is rounded.
	Some of the branches are often dangling.

Distribution:

Shagbark hickory can be found in shaded forests from Maine clear across to Minnesota, south to eastern Texas, and east to Florida.

Discussion:

	The wood of the tree is hard and heavy, light brown in color, and close-grained.
	It can be used for handles on tools, fuel, and baseball bats.
	The nuts are also very tasty.


	Top right: Bark Top left: Leaves Bottom: Branch

Location: 1496 Illinois Route 121 Cumberland High School

GPS Coordinates: Location: N 39º 15.375 feet W088º 11.509 feet

Elevation: 600 feet Distance: 0.21 Miles Bearing North

References:

Msn Maps and Directions , n.d. October 28, 2004, www.mapblast.com.

Mohlenbrock, Robert H. Forest Trees of Illinois. Illinois Department of

Natural Resources, 8th edition. n.d.

Koch, K. Shagbark Hickory (Carya Ovata). n.d. October 28,2004.

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