Plant Family: Juglandaceae
Growth Form: Small to medium-sized tree in New England, 10 – 20 m tall, it may be larger further south in its range.
Leaves: Alternate, once-compound, 12 – 30 cm long, with 5 – 7 lightly toothed leaflets.
Bark: Gray, fissured in a cross-hatched pattern, held tight on the trunk and not peeling; the twigs are slender and hairless.
Flowers: Monoecious, male flowers in hanging catkins in groups of three, female flowers in clusters of two or three.
Fruits: Green, thin, 4-part husks that turn brown, September to October; the meat inside the nut is edible but may taste bitter.
Habitat: Dry woods, sunlit hillsides and rocky ridges.
Range: Common in southern New England, uncommon further north; it ranges south over most of the eastern United States.
Similar Species: Shagbark Hickory also has leaves with 5 leaflets, but has shaggy bark and stout twigs.
Comments: Hickory nuts are rich in nutrients and are favored by many forest animals, including squirrel, chipmunk, fox, bear, and deer.
