Synonyms: Carya alba, Hicoria ovata, Juglans ovata
This is a large deciduous tree that typically grows 70-90’ (infrequently to 120’) tall with an irregular, oval-rounded crown.
Fruit: Nearly round, 1 1/2 to 2 inches, with a very thick husk; nut is distinctly 4-ribbed, and the seed is sweet and delicious; maturing in fall .
Hardiness: zones 4 through 8
Seed Bearing Age: 40 years
Height: 70.00 to 90.00 feet
Spread: 50.00 to 70.00 feet
Medicinal use of Shagbark Hickory: The fresh small shoots have been steamed to make an inhalant for treating headaches. A decoction of the bark has been taken internally to treat rheumatism and also used as a poultice on rheumatic joints.
Edible parts of Shagbark Hickory: Seed - raw or cooked and used in pies, cakes, bread etc. Sweet and delicious. The seed can be ground into a meal and used to thicken soups etc. A nut milk can be prepared from the seed and this is used as a butter on bread, vegetables etc. The shell is normally thick and hard but in selected cultivars it can be thin. The seed ripens in late autumn and can be stored for up to 2 years in a cool cellar. The seed is up to 4 cm long. Sap - sweet. It is tapped in spring and can be made into a syrup.
Other uses : A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark. Wood - close-grained, tough, elastic, heavy and very hard. It weighs 52 lb per cubic foot. An excellent quality wood, it is used for tool handles, wheel spokes, sporting goods, baskets etc. The wood is an excellent fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat. It produces an excellent charcoal.