Shellbark Hickory
Carya laciniosa 
Shellbark hickory, sometimes called big shagbark hickory, is the largest of the true hickories. Shellbark hickory is found in the fertile bottomland soils along rivers and streams. It occurs throughout most of Missouri with the exception of the Ozarks. Shellbark hickory can be distinguished from shagbark hickory by the larger leaves, greater number of leaflets, large nuts and orange twigs. Special notes: this is the best tasting of Missouri hickory nuts.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 90 ft
- Spread
- 50 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, compound, 12" - 24" long, 7 leaflets; each leaflet 5" - 9" long, oval, broadest above the middle, edges finely toothed, dark green
- Flowers
- male flowers in catkins, female flowers in spikes at the end of branches
- Fruit
- nut, 1 3/4" -2 l/2" in diameter, covered with a thick 4-part husk
- Bark
- similar to shagbark hickory
- Associated species
- green ash, shagbark hickory, Shumard oak, white oak, sweetgum
- Ideal site conditions
- moist soil, partial sun
- Value to man
- food, wood products
- Value to wildlife
- food, cover, dens
- Growth Rate
- slow
- Range
