Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

pignut hickory

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Carya glabra

Family:

Juglandaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-100 ft tall by 30-50 (100) ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow,green

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Inconspicuous blooms in spring. Yellow in fall. Nuts ripen in fall. Lfe span 200+ yrs (much older trees are known)

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Excellent specimen or shade tree in areas where its roots will not be disturbed.

Considerations:

Does not tolerate root disturbance. The author has lost multiple trees due to a fungal root pathogen that was apparently able to enter the tree when roots were disturbed by vehicles and construction. Nut and leaf litter can be a problem in residential landscapes.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

mildly acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Mammals

Larval host for many moths including; luna moth ( Actias luna ), hickory leafroller moth ( Argyrotaenia juglandana ), royal walnut moth ( Citheronia regalis ), and walnut sphinx ( Amorpha juglandis) .

A favorite food of squirrels. 

Native Habitats:

Xeric hammock, mixed upland forest, pine-oak-hickory woods.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Nuts vary but in general, they are bitter.

General Comments:

Called pignut because pigs eat the nuts.