ISU Forestry Extension - Tree Identification: Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

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Jesse Randall
Carol Elsberry
Claudette Sandoval-Green

Last Updated:

June 14, 2012

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Shagbark Hickory
(Carya ovata)

Leaves are alternate, compound with five to nine leaflets.

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Shagbark is the most common of the hickories in Iowa. Shagbark hickory is native most of Iowa east to the Des Moines River in Humboldt county, the Raccoon River in Sac County, the Boyer River in Harrison county and the Missouri River in Harrison county although is scattered and rare along the western edge of its range.

Hardiness: zones 4 through 8

Growth Rate: moderate

Mature Shape: Straight, cylindrical trunk with a oblong crown of ascending and descending branches.

Height: 70 to 80 feet tall

Width: 30 to 40 ft. spread

Site Requirements: upland, well-drained woodlands. Thrives in rich and well-drained loams, but is adaptable to many soil types.

Flowering Dates: April - June

Seed Dispersal Dates: September - December

Seed Bearing Age: 40 years

Seed Bearing Frequency: Every year

Seed Stratification: Prechill for 5 months at 34F to 40F

Shagbark is one of the easiest trees to identify because its bark separates into large, irregular shaped strips that curve out at both ends, giving the trunk a rough, shaggy appearance. The bark is very tough and hard, containing enough silica to quickly dull cutting tools. The leaves are alternately arranged on twigs, compound with 5 to 7 leaflets, 8-16 inches in length, and have finely toothed margins.

The large terminal buds are1/2 to 3/4 inch long, egg-shaped, and bluntly pointed. Twigs are moderately stout, red-brown or dark gray-green in color, and have large heart-shaped leaf scars. The fruit is a nut, 1-2/1 inches in diameter, with a husk that is 1/8 to 1/2 inch thick which splits completely open when the nut is mature. The nuts of shagbark hickory are prized for their flavor, but are difficult to crack and recover the kernels. They are used by several species of wildlife including squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, turkeys, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, bluejays, and nuthatches.

Shagbark hickory occurs on a wide variety of sites, but is most often found in upland woodlands associated with white, bur, red, and black oaks. On good sites it will grow 70-80 feet in height.

Shagbark hickory is the prime wood for tool handles because of its exceptional strength and shock resistance. It has also been used for skis and other sporting goods, ladder rungs, agricultural implements, pallet construction and charcoal. One relatively minor but important use is for smoking meats including ham and bacon because of the excellent favor the smoke gives these meats. Recently hickory has been used in the production of fine quality kitchen cabinets and counters. One other major use of hickory in Iowa is for firewood. Hickory is one of the best firewoods because of its high density.

Shagbark hickory has not been used extensively for landscape applications, primarily because of its relatively slow growth rate and difficulty in transplanting. It is a desirable landscape plant because of its relatively long life (200-300 years) and good resistance to both insects and diseases.

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Knowledge That Works The Iowa State Forestry Extension offers many educational opportunities and can also custom prepare forestry educational materials and programs to meet the needs of clients.
Where Can You Find Information? Contact: Dr. Jesse Randall by email or call 515-294-1168	Forestry Extension: [Topic of Discussion] Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management 339 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3221
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