Carya laciniosa (F. Michx.) Loudon

Big Shellbark Hickory; Kingnut Hickory; Bigleaf Shagbark Hickory

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Kingnut Hickory is a native deciduous tree in the Walnut family (Juglandaceae). It is found in the Black Belt and Tennessee Valley areas of Alabama. Kingnut Hickory usually grows in floodplain forests and on mesic slopes near creeks. It can grow from eighty to one hundred twenty feet high. The bark exfoliates in long strips, giving this species another of its common names— Shellbark Hickory. The compound leaves have seven leaflets. This species has large terminal buds and the young twigs have orange dots on them. Kingnut Hickory has the largest nuts of any hickory species. They are commonly two to two and one half inches in diameter—larger than an extra large hen egg. The nuts are edible and sweet. They are consumed by humans and many species of wildlife. Kingnut Hickory is a slow growing tree with a long tap root. It is sometimes available from nurseries that specialize in native species. It prefers rich moist soil and full or partial sun. --A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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