Water Hickory

Carya aquatica

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 80’ tall x 50’ wide
Average size: 50′ tall x 25′ wide

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

AKA: Bitter Peacan, Swamp Hickory, Water Pignut

Water hickories are a deciduous tree with a yellow or orange fall color and inconspicuous early spring blooms. The fruits ripen in fall. They are edible but bitter. Cold leeching can be a good method to help remove their bitterness. Their interesting foliage and like of the water make them a good choice of tree for floodplains or swamps. If they need pruned, the best time to do so is in late winter. In fall they can have significant nut and leaf drop. The nuts are eaten by ducks and other wildlife.  They are the larval host for many moths including; luna moth (Actias luna), hickory leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia juglandana), royal walnut moth (Citheronia regalis), and walnut sphinx (Amorpha juglandis).

The wood is a popular one to use for woodworking.