Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata 
Shagbark hickory is the most common hickory north of the Missouri River. Although it grows best on bottomland soils, it can also be found throughout the state on dry upland sites. The wood is used for the handles of axes, hammers and hatchets and for smoking meat. Special notes: shagbark and shellbark hickory are very important summer habitat for bats.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 85 ft
- Spread
- 45 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, compound, 8" - 14" long, 5 (rarely 7) leaflets; each leaflet 4" - 8" long, elliptical, broadest above the middle, edges finely toothed, dark yellow-green
- Flowers
- male flowers in catkins, female flowers in spikes at the end of branches
- Fruit
- nut 1" - 2 l/2" in diameter, covered with a thick 4-part husk
- Bark
- gray, smooth on young trees; older bark breaks into long, thin shaggy plates which curve away from the trunk
- Associated species
- white, black, post and northern red oak, flowering dogwood, white ash
- Ideal site conditions
- average soil, partial sun
- Value to man
- food, wood products
- Value to wildlife
- food, cover, dens
- Growth Rate
- slow
- Range
