Carya pallida (Ashe) Engl. & Graebn.

Sand Hickory; Pale Hickory

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Sand Hickory is a native deciduous tree in the Walnut family (Juglandaceae). It is most common in the eastern half of Alabama. Sand Hickory grows in well-drained sandy or rocky soils of Longleaf pinewoods, in scrub oak woods, along the upper slopes of ravines and steepheads, and on the upper slopes of hills. Trees may reach heights of 80-100 feet. The bark is dark to light gray and deeply furrowed. Twigs are relatively slender (compared to other hickories) and reddish-black. Leaves are alternate, odd pinnately compound, with 5-9 leaflets. The leaflets are ovate to elliptic in outline with serrate margins. The lower most pair of leaflets are generally smaller than the rest, and the upper most pair of leaflets are larger than the terminal leaflet. The upper surface of the leaflets are dark green and glabrous. The lower surface of the leaflet is covered in pale scales giving the lower leaf surface a whitish color. The midribs of the leaflets and the rachis (the extension of the petiole between the leaflets) bear tuffs of hairs. The leaves turn bright yellow before falling. Male flowers are produced in drooping green catkins. Female flowers are produced in small clusters near the branch tips. The fruit is a nut enclosed in a woody husk. The fruit are obovoid to spherical in outline. The husk splits partially or wholly to the base into 4 sections, one section usually larger than the other three. The sutures of the husk are smooth and not winged. The nut is tan and slightly compressed. The meat of the nut is sweet. The nuts are high in protein and fat, and are an important food for wildlife. The wood of hickory is strong and dense. It is used for handles and as a high-quality firewood.--A. Diamond

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Native

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