Carolina Shagbark Hickory is a variation of the Shag Bark Hickory and can be found on the upland flats of the piedmont areas in the southeastern U.S.A. It differs in slightly larger leaves and nuts and has more slender shoots and darker outer bud scales. Prefers a humid climate but is found in a wide range of climates. This plant prefers moist acidic soils. Male and female flowers occur in the spring and give way to edible nuts. This hickory begins to bear seeds around 10 years but is most productive from 40 to 200 years old. The production is erratic with the best crops being every 3-5 years. This plant serves as a food source for the Hickory horndevil ( Citheronia regalis ) moth. More information on Carya ovata .
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.
8-inch compound leaves have 5 leaflets with dense hairs at the tips of serration.
Flower form
Catkin; Spike
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Male flowers grow as catkins about 4-7 inches long and female pistillate appears in spikes around 1/2 long.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Green husks mature to brown and split to the base. Nuts are brown and 1 to 1.5 inches long.
Bark color
Light Gray
Stem color
Black; Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Young twigs are green, maturing to thin black to red-brown twigs, small buds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Ala., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn.
Distribution
Found in Delaware south to Georgia, and west to Tennessee. Found in VI, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, and KY
Wildlife value
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. Small mammals, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks and others, are attracted to the nuts.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Nuts
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Nuts are edible and sweet to humans and wildlife.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used for furniture, flooring and tool handles. It is also used for smoking meats. The bark is used to flavor maple-style syrup.