Pignut, Redheart Hickory, Sweet pignut, Broom hickory, False shagbark hickory, Hognut broom hickory
Carya glabra

Family: Juglandaceae

What it is like

A tree that loses its leaves. It grows 24-30 m high. The trunk is 30-60 cm across. The bark is grey and has narrow ridges. It has an irregular spreading crown. The leaves are mid green. They are 15-25 cm long. There are 5-7 leaflets which are sword shaped. These are 7.5-15 cm long. The flowers are very small and greenish. The male flowers are in slender drooping catkins. There are 3 hanging from one stalk. There are 2-10 female flowers at the tip of the same twig. The fruit are 2.5-5 cm long and slightly pear shaped. The nuts are small. It produces large numbers of nuts. They are thinned shelled and egg shaped. They can be bitter or sweet.

There are about 14-25 Carya species.

Where it is found

It grows in both dry and moist uplands in hardwood forests. It needs deep, rich loamy soils and an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Germany, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The seeds vary and can be bitter. Some are sweet and pleasant and eaten. Ripe nuts should be used. Some are used for drinks.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Carya porcina (Michx.f.) Nutt. ex Elliott; Hicoria glabra (Mill.) Britton; and others