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

Nomenclature

Common Name:

mockernut hickory

Synonym(s):

Carya alba

Genus species:

Carya tomentosa

Family:

Juglandaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

60-80 (90) ft tall by 40-50 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Fall Color

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Large shade tree. Plant where falling/fallen nuts will not be a problem.

Considerations:

Plant where nut and leaf litter will not be a problem.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed. Difficult to transplant unless done when small enough not to impact the top root.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat 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

Soil pH:

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 .

Small mammals (squirrels and other rodents) consume nuts. 

Native Habitats:

Dry hammocks, dry hardwood forests

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Nuts are edible. The wood is prized for furniture, flooring, tool handles, baseball bats, skis, and veneer. Hickory wood has a very high fuel value, both as firewood and as charcoal, and is the preferred wood for smoking hams.

General Comments: