Broom Hickory

Carya glabra (KAIR-ee-ah GLAY-bruh)

Family: Juglandaceae Native Canopy (>40 ft)

Pignut hickory is a medium to a large deciduous tree in the walnut family (Juglandaceae) native to eastern, southeastern and central USA and parts of Canada. It is found in all areas of NC. The Genus name comes from the Greek word karya used for walnut trees. The specific epithet comes from Latin meaning smooth referring to the hairless leaves and twigs. As with most hickories, it is a strong, tall tree up to 8o feet tall and 40 feet wide with a straight trunk and dense oval to rounded form. The wood is valued for its strength. It is adaptable to fertile sandy or clay loams in well-drained soils in sun to partial sun. It is drought tolerant once established and has a deep taproot so be sure to choose a permanent spot when planting. Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings. Pignut hickory produces nuts that can be bitter but are eaten by many different wildlife species. The large compound leaves emerge reddish in spring and turn yellow in fall, giving it three seasons of interest. It may be difficult to find for sale commercially, but can be used as a shade tree in large yards, parks or naturalized areas. Wildlife-friendly tree, attracting butterflies, pollinators and various mammals. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems. Hickory bark beetle, pecan weevil, borers and twig girdler can be problems in some areas of its range. White heart rot, anthracnose, leaf blotch, powdery mildew, leaf spot, cankers, catkin blight, crown gall, and scab are occasional diseases. Large trees can produce considerable litter through twig, leaf, and fruit (nut) drop. VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “ Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping ” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 72 attributes.