Shellbark Hickory
Carya laciniosa
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © treelogical (iNaturalist #187292132)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Juglandaceae
- Genus:
- Carya
- Species:
- Carya laciniosa
- USDA Symbol:
- CALA21
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 4000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
chosen sallow (Psaphida electilis), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Old Wife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama), residual underwing (Catocala residua), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers bottomland and floodplain areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 2-4 months; germination occurs in spring after stratification.
Pre-treatment: Nuts are sown in late October and early November using a spreader into prepared field beds. Seed may be floated in water to help determine viability. Seed that floats is normally poorly filled and has low or no viability. Floaters are discarded, while the seed that sinks is retained for planting.
Establishment: Shellbark hickory is a slow growing species. Seedlings are usually 4 inches tall at the end of the first growing season. Seeds are collected from established natural stands and are kept separated according to site, elevation and source.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)