Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa) - Zone 5

Soil Types

The shellbark hickory is one of the few nut trees that tolerates wet and temporarily flooded soils well. It can therefore be grown in a lower-lying area or closer to a watercourse, provided it still has access to full sun exposure and plenty of heat.

It prefers cool, well-drained loams, but its drought and water tolerance mean it can be content with sandy or clayey soil.

Hardiness

Although this tree survives in Zone 4 and produces nuts in warm years, it is better suited to Zone 5, where its nuts will mature more regularly. That said, due to climate change, we can expect Zone 4 to become Zone 5 by the time this tree is in full production, i.e., after 30 to 40 years of growth.

Shagbark hickory wood is prized for its hardness and density, making it suitable for tool handles and high-quality furniture. It is also ideal for heating and smoking food.

Shagbark hickories are not only long-lived but also tall, as they can reach between 18 and 24 meters in height and up to 15 meters in width. With their upright habit and large leaves with 7 leaflets that provide excellent shade, they are a prime choice for an ornamental tree.

Self-fertile. The presence of at least two carya trees (shagbark hickory, shellbark hickory, and in some exceptional cases northern pecan) ensures good, ideal nut production.

Our shagbark hickory seeds come from Southern Ontario and are from the most interesting cultivated varieties for nut production in Canada.