Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra

Size: 3 & 7 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 30-100’ tall x 30-50’ wide
Average size: 30-60′ tall x 30-40′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry, Very Dry
Loam, Sand
Sun/ Part Shade
No Salt Tolerance

AKA: Broom Hickory, Red Hickory, Smoothbark Hickory, Sweet Pignut Hickory, Switch Hickory

This deciuous tree has a yellow fall color and inconspicuous spring blooms. The plentiful and edible nuts ripen in fall and are enjoyed by squirrels. If the roots are left undisturbed, they make excellent hurricane wind-resistant specimen or shade trees. It is a larval host for luna moth (Actias luna), hickory leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia juglandana), royal walnut moth (Citheronia regalis), and walnut sphinx (Amorpha juglandis).

Omaha and others used the nuts for cooking. The wood is also useful for baskets, bows, arrows, corn beaters, blowgun darts, and tool handles. The branches in particular are useful for natural brooms; they are tough but flexible. The bark can be used to make a lovely dye that can make many shades of a peachy pink.