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Bitternut Hickory

Carya Cordiformis

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Overview

Carya cordiformis, known as Bitternut Hickory, is a towering deciduous tree, reaching heights of 50-80 feet. Its slender, upturned branches bear pinnate leaves, with foliage turning golden yellow in fall. Producing inedible nuts encased in thin husks, this tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It's notable for its ridged gray bark and serves as an excellent tall shade or specimen tree in spacious landscapes.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 5–10Climate Temperate
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Carya cordiformis, known as Bitternut Hickory, is a towering deciduous tree, reaching heights of 50-80 feet
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Its slender, upturned branches bear pinnate leaves, with foliage turning golden yellow in fallBitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Producing inedible nuts encased in thin husksBitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — this tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moistBitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — though it thrives in moistBitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — golden-yellow autumn foliageBitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Mature specimens can reach impressive heights of 70 to 80 feet with a canopy spread of roughly 40 to 50 feet+51

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
5–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Juglandaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (58)

Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Carya cordiformis, known as Bitternut Hickory, is a towering deciduous tree, reaching heights of 50-80 feet
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Its slender, upturned branches bear pinnate leaves, with foliage turning golden yellow in fall
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Producing inedible nuts encased in thin husks
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — this tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — though it thrives in moist
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — golden-yellow autumn foliage
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Mature specimens can reach impressive heights of 70 to 80 feet with a canopy spread of roughly 40 to 50 feet
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — esteemed for its strong wood
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — demonstrating a high tolerance for a variety of soil types and pH levels
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — The Bitternut Hickory's growth rate is moderate
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — and the tree possesses a long taproot
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Its leaves are pinnately compound
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — which develops scaly ridges with age
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — which is important to consider when designing a location for planting
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — typically with 7 to 11 leaflets
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — and turn a brilliant yellow in the fall
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — are a food source for squirrels and other mammals
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Birds and other fauna also enjoy the habitat provided by the dense foliage
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — while not ideal for human consumption
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Carya cordiformis, known as Bitternut Hickory, is a towering deciduous tree, reaching heights of 50-80 feet; this tree
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Its slender, upturned branches bear pinnate leaves, with foliage turning golden yellow in fall; and the tree possesses
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — Producing inedible nuts encased in thin husks; are a food source for squirrels and other mammals
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — tree for full or half
Bitternut Hickory (Carya Cordiformis) — the Bitternut Hickory is an exemplary choice

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