Arkansas Tree Database

Scientific name:

Carya Tomentosa

Size:

100'-130' tall

Leaves:

alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 8"-15" long with 7-9 large toothed hairy leaflets, with a spicy scent when crushed as of orange rind

Flowers:

inconspicuous

Fruit:

oval to slightly pear-shaped, very thick strongly scented husk, splitting nearly to the base when ripe, nut flattened and thick-shelled with edible kernel

Fall Interest:

golden brown to rusty orange-yellow; deciduous

Culture:

sun; moist soil

Disease/Insect:

Use:

moth host plant, such as for the luna moth and the regal moth whose caterpillar is called hickory horned devil; considered valuable, a heavy, hard, tough, strong wood for tool handles, construction, furniture

Cultivars:

Notes:

bark dark gray, hard, tight, with rounded interlacing ridges; large pale-colored winter buds; named for difficulty removing nut from thick shells; native to Arkansas and the most common hickory in upland forests and woodlands