Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © lauramorganclark (iNaturalist #205593255)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Juglandaceae
- Genus:
- Carya
- Species:
- Carya ovata
- USDA Symbol:
- CAOV2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis caryalbella, Acrobasis kearfottella, Acrobasis palliolella, Acrobasis stigmella, Agonopterix eupatoriiella, Angus' Underwing (Catocala angusi), dejected underwing (Catocala dejecta), Dichomeris ligulella, Epione underwing (Catocala epione), habilis underwing (Catocala habilis), hickory leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia juglandana), hickory shoot borer (Acrobasis caryae), Hickory shuckworm (Cydia caryana), hickory shuckworm moth (Pseudexentera caryana), Himella fidelis, Judith's Underwing (Catocala judith), Luna moth (Actias luna), mourning underwing (Catocala flebilis), Obscure Underwing (Catocala obscura), Old Wife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama), pecan cigar casebearer (Coleophora laticornella), pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), reflexella leafroller moth (Psilocorsis reflexella), Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis), residual underwing (Catocala residua), Robinson's underwing (Catocala robinsonii), Serene Underwing (Catocala serena), Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Tearful Underwing (Catocala lacrymosa), Widow Underwing (Catocala vidua), Yellow-Banded Underwing (Catocala retecta), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), hickory hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Agonopterix robiniella, Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Bent-winged Owlet Moth (Bleptina caradrinalis), Cenopis niveana, Cenopis pettitana, Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Cosmia calami, Dead-wood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna), Diathrausta Lederer, Eugonobapta nivosaria, Eulithis Hübner, Gluphisia septentrionis, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), habilis underwing (Catocala habilis), hickory leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia juglandana), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Idia diminuendis, Inconsolable Underwing (Catocala insolabilis), Iridopsis ephyraria, Judith's Underwing (Catocala judith), Large Lace-border (Scopula limboundata), Luna moth (Actias luna), Macaria pustularia, Macaria subcessaria, oak leafroller (Archips semiferanus), oak leafroller (Acleris semipurpurana), oak leafroller moth (Argyrotaenia quercifoliana), Obscure Underwing (Catocala obscura), Oedemasia Packard, Old Wife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama), Painted Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia fucosa), pecan leafminer (Cameraria caryaefoliella), Pubitelphusa latifasciella, Serene Underwing (Catocala serena), Stigmella caryaefoliella, Strigate Phigalia (Phigalia strigataria), Ufeus plicatus, Yellow-Banded Underwing (Catocala retecta), Yellow-spotted Renia (Renia flavipunctalis), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana integerrima)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- golden yellow, orange
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers deep, fertile soils in floodplains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Nuts should remain moist during cold stratification. Some seeds may exhibit delayed germination and emerge the following spring.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 30 to 150 days. Fresh seeds are sown by hand into prepared field beds during October. Seed may be floated in water to help determine viability. Seed that floats is discarded, while the seed that sinks is retained for planting.
Establishment: Seeds are collected from various sources, including local people who collect within a 50 mile radius of the nursery, and established natural stands within the confines of Stones River National Battlefield. The general distribution of C. ovata is within temperate deciduous forests of central and eastern North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuation outdoor winter temperatures including freezing for 3 months. Gradually increase light and temperature in the spring. * plant in deep pot