Nutmeg hickory is a large, deciduous, slow-growing tree in the walnut family (Juglandaceae) that is the rarest of its species worldwide but may be found in small numbers in a range from the mountains of northeastern Mexico to the coastal plain of North Carolina. It can be found on the banks of rivers and swamps, occasionally on higher ground, and often on limestone. The Genus name comes from the Greek word karya used for walnut trees. The specific epithet refers to its seeds, which are similar to nutmeg seeds. At maturity, it will reach close to 100 feet high, but in its first 20 years of growth, it may only reach 30 feet high. This plant prefers full sun and moist rich sandy or clay soils and is drought tolerant, but will not grow in the shade. Nutmeg hickory has a large tap root that can reach 4 feet or more into the ground and should be planted in its permanent location. The nutmeg hickory leaf initially has an underside covered with silvery-golden scales that turn bronze as the leaves mature. The bark is scaly and reddish brown with a diamond-shaped pattern of ridges. Fall color is yellow. The edible nut is produced in the fall and loved by squirrels. The tree may be difficult to find but the nuts are available to to buy and plant. Use this tree as a shade tree, in naturalized areas and to benefit wildlife. Fruit and leaf drop can be messy. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for forest tent caterpilla r , walnut caterpillar, and walkingsticks.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
7 to 14 inch alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets; silvery underneath with yellow fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Catkin
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Male flowers are yellow catkins on a long stem. Female flowers are in short spikes at the end of shoots.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Elliptical 1 to 1.2 inch long nut with a thick husk splitting along four ridges. The seed ripens in late autumn and can be stored in its shell in a cool place for at least 6 months
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Dark brown with fissures turning into long thin scales with age.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Twigs brown to bronze, slender, without hairs, densely scaly. Terminal buds bronze, ovoid, essentially without hairs, densely scaly; axillary buds protected by bracteoles fused into hood.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern and southwestern United States
Distribution
Found in NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, AR, OK, and TX
Wildlife value
Squirrels and rodents eat nuts. Larval host plant to Luna moth. This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals
Play value
Edible fruit; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Seeds are edible, sweet tasting, but with a thick shell.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Wood is hard and strong and burns well with lots of heat.